Photo by Alyssum Mormino on Unsplash
CDC Findings on ER Visits
At the end of 2020, the CDC shared findings on emergency room visits for children 18 years old and younger. It was the mental health visits that the CDC focused on in their findings. The mental health of children has been seriously impacted in the past year. Children and teenagers have seen difficulties in their own families, witnessed health problems, and possibly experienced the loss of loved ones. So much has changed in the lives of children and teenagers. Parents of children living in the times of the coronavirus crisis are very concerned about the impact of school closures, and the immediate impact on their children’s mental health. These are unprecedented times, and we are not sure exactly when it will happen, but there are signs of a mental health crisis that is already coming our way.
According to the CDC report, beginning in April 2020, children’s mental health-related ER visits increased and remained elevated through October. When looking back at 2019, mental health-related visits for children 5-11 increased 24%, and for those 12-17, 31%. Those are significant amounts.
School Closures Impact on Mental Health
School is a foundational part of childhood. Learning is one of the top priorities in a child’s life. Many schools closed in 2020, and many are still closed, with the potential for hybrid attendance or some degree of in-person learning being phased back in. Many children receive mental health services through schools. The increase in stress is felt by kids. For teenagers, the stress may be more focused on social limitations, anxiety, and disruptions.
We are now at the one-year mark of many school systems in America closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most children are still not in school full-time. A year is a sufficient amount of time to really feel the impact and see the precursors of what may come in the aftermath of these circumstances.
We are hearing more and more in the news about the emotional and psychological impact of children being home for so long. Children have changed in the past year. They have gotten into routines, both positive and negative, that will be a challenge to change yet again. HuffPost Parents spoke with several school counselors to get their thoughts on how our kids will change.
Families and Emotional Support of Kids and Teenagers
A lot of families suffered a lot of loss during this time economically and emotionally. People of color have been hit by financial difficulties, and reports are showing that students of color have fallen behind academic benchmarks.
Kids are out of the habit of being in a regimented schedule with the structure of school. Phasing back into it, after being gone for so long, will be yet another adjustment for students who have adjusted so many times in the past year.
Counselors are hoping that social and emotional-based learning becomes a core part of our education system. Many schools have already adopted formal teaching and will continue to offer it. New York City is trying to train its public school teachers in trauma practices to support students. It will be a long process to begin the transition back to school and a feeling of safety, comfort, and structure for kids and teens. Some will need much more support than others.
Children and teens have faced so many losses, so much stress, and so many difficult circumstances. Naturally, they weren’t equipped to deal with these matters. With the levels of resiliency that young people possess, many will slowly start to adapt to yet another situation. This has put a great toll on parents who themselves have to care for children, separated from any kind of support. Some healthy and emotionally secure children will be ok and may come out of this stronger. For others, this situation can develop into a post-traumatic stress response, and it may require more mental health support from school and counseling. Parents still play a very pivotal role in being safe and confident leaders in their children’s lives.
Find resources on Mental Health services during COVID-19 here.
