Neither seen nor heard: the evidence gap on the effect of covid-19 on mental health in children
Tamsin Ford and colleagues say better evidence on how children’s mental health is affected by health shocks is essential to inform policy responses The impact of health shocks, such as pandemics and human made and natural disasters, on children and young people is too often under-researched, meaning evidence informed responses are inadequate. The original terms of reference of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry omitted children, for example, as did much of the global pandemic response. Yet data indicate that the pandemic had a disproportionate impact on their mental health.1 This was entirely predictable, given that pandemic restrictions resulted in social isolation and disrupted routines and sleep, as well as financial and academic stress, all of which undermine mental health, in addition to fears about loss of educational opportunities and family members becoming ill (box 1).2 Box 1 ### Young person’s perspective, by Ann Kannuralil Sabu I am 17 and in full time education. Over the past few year
