Nearly one in three parents in Sri Lanka have noticed negative changes in their children’s behaviour in the last 6 months as the country headed into economic collapse, according to a Save the Children survey conducted in June 2022.

The survey of more than 2,300 families across nine districts in Sri Lanka also found nearly three out of four households had to spend more time with their children to accommodate their emotional and mental health needs with children showing signs of distress and withdrawal.

Soaring inflation, daily power cuts, and shortages of fuel, food and medicines have stretched families beyond their ability to cope. The economic stress on families has triggered one in 10 children to lose their appetite and show more signs of aggression.

Save the Children’s survey also found that one in five children experienced changes in their sleep patterns, had difficulty regulating their emotions, showed violence towards others, or wet their beds.

Lakmi*, 10, from Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, explained that the economic collapse has meant she can’t go to school on days the buses aren’t running, and talked about witnessing long fuel queues in her town.

“The situation in the country makes me very sad. I am afraid that we won’t have a country at the end of all this. There are problems with fuel, and the prices of food have also increased,” said Lakmi. “If I had the chance to do something for my country, I would work for the betterment of the people.”

Nadeesha*, 37, a mother from Badulla, explained that the financial pressure this crisis is having on her as a parent is having an influence on her children’s mental wellbeing:

“I have observed many big changes in my children’s behaviour. They are sad about the situation, but they try not to show it. They tend to worry because I am unable to provide them with what they like, the way I used to do. They worry that their parents don’t have a steady income to support the family. They are not happy like before. They don’t go out much to play. They are worried about what’s going to happen tomorrow.”

Although Sri Lanka’s economic crisis is leading to a significant rise in mental health issues, the country cannot provide adequate mental health and psychosocial support for those who need it due to the lack of financial resources, according to the UN’s Sri Lanka Humanitarian Needs and Priorities Plan. Without appropriate support, the mental health impact of the crisis on children can worsen, leading to poorer chances of long-term wellbeing and resilience.

Save the Children’s National Director in Sri Lanka, Julian Chellappah, said: “In difficult and unsettling situations, children may externalise their feelings by showing signs of distress, with more crying and screaming among young children, more aggressive behaviour or violence, as well as difficulties in emotional regulation. Some will internalise their feelings, resulting in withdrawal. This is what we’re seeing unfold in Sri Lanka.

“Children often find it hard to make sense of the crisis and often need support from family and friends to help them understand and cope with the resulting adversities. If children do not get the support they need, their symptoms can worsen.

“The constant worry over accessing food, clean water, medicines and even education is taking an immense toll on Sri Lankan children. We are calling on the government to find a sustainable economic solution to this crisis, to get families back on their feet and ensure children’s long-term mental health needs are prioritised and adequately funded.”

Save the Children in Sri Lanka has released its first Rapid Needs Assessment report, aimed to understand how communities are impacted by the ongoing crisis. The organisation is responding to the needs of vulnerable families with plans to provide cash and livelihood support for nearly 1 million people. Save the Children is also prioritising mental health and psychosocial support by raising awareness and empowering communities, both adults and children, to support each other’s psychosocial wellbeing in these tremendously distressing times.