OTTAWA The pandemic has put a lot of strain on families over the past year. Children are especially having a hard time coping with the isolation and the mental health of children is becoming more of an issue. Dr. Saba Merchant is a paediatrician and the owner and director of Maple Kidz Clinic just outside of Toronto. She is worried that kids might be dealing with more than their parents are aware of. We are now, during the pandemic, coining this world called social malnutrition, says Merchant. Inability for the children to attend school, daycares, and extra-curricular activities has taken away the structure, the routine to their days. And has also let to social isolation.