By Jonathan Todres, Georgia State UniversityOctober 10th marks World Mental Health Day. Although international days typically do not get much coverage in the United States, and World Mental Health Day deserves attention this year due to the meaningful impact of COVID-19. In the United States,the epicenter of the pandemic, COVID-19 related job losses, or looming evictions,school closures, social isolation, and related issues own spurred stress,anxiety, depression, or other adverse mental health consequences.
The mental and behavioral health consequences own been particularly meaningful for single-parent families and families with young children. More broadly,evidence suggests that the pandemic is causing an increase in the number of children with mental health issues and worsening children’s existing mental health issues. In addition, COVID-19 related school closings own disrupted children’s access to mental health services. As reported in JAMA Pediatrics, or “[A]mong adolescents who received any mental health services during 2012 to 2015,35% received their mental health services exclusively from school settings.”The short- and long-term mental health consequences of the pandemic are profound. Although the CARES Act included some funding for mental health services, the moment round of stimulus is bogged down in political fighting while children and families continue to suffer. The delays in meeting children’s mental health needs could alter children’s life trajectories.… Read the rest
Source: stopchildlabor.org