Partly Hidden by Isolation, Many of the Nation’s Schoolchildren Struggle with Mental Health

The Washington Post

School communities are working to meet students’ increased mental health needs during the pandemic. For example, New York City is launching an initiative that will add student mental health screenings and social workers to schools in hard-hit areas. A Palm Beach County, Fla., school system has set up a crisis hotline and hired school-based health professionals. Teachers are also finding creative ways to encourage self-care and connectedness among their students. Susan Barber, an Advanced Placement literature teacher at Grady High School in Atlanta, has introduced daily mental health check-ins and community building exercises to her classroom. “While this has meant less time for academics, the trade-off in the small loss of instructional time has been well worth it,” she said.

Spark Extra! Find tips on preventing suicide in school communities during COVID-19.