COVID-19 has been very stressful for all of us. Children and adolescents have been impacted by being disconnected from their friends, classmates and teachers, as well as all the strain and stress of COVID-19 on children and their families. It means schools can expect to see students with decreased attention spans, increased anxiety and other symptoms related to stress and trauma. Schools also need to make sure staff and teachers are getting support for their mental health needs during this period.
School districts are also preparing for prolonged periods of virtual learning this academic year. What many envisioned as a temporary disruption in the services provided in the school setting, such as school-based mental health care and access to supportive adults and peers, now appears to be a prolonged state, placing the mental health of children and adolescents at increased risk. Data from the UK indicate that 83% of students surveyed said the pandemic had made their mental health conditions worse. Data from California show "More than half the students who responded to the survey said they’re in need of mental health support since the school closures began in mid-March. That includes 22% who said they were receiving some kind of support before the closures but now have limited or no access to those services and an additional 32% who said their mental health needs have arisen since schools closed.”
Longer quarantine duration is associated with worse mental health outcomes, and extended periods of virtual learning place students at further risk for social isolation. In communities where virtual learning will continue, it is critical that the education and health sectors employ active outreach to students and families, that educators and health care providers are trained in trauma-informed practices, and that telehealth opportunities for mental health care are maximized.