Spring 2022 Post 12
The grief, anxiety and depression children have experienced during the pandemic is welling over into classrooms and hallways, resulting in crying and disruptive behavior in many younger kids and increased violence and bullying among adolescents. For many other children, who keep their sadness and fear inside, the pressures of school have become too great.
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts among adolescents jumped 31% in 2020, compared with 2019. In February and March of this year, emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts were 51% higher among girls aged 12–17 than during the same period in 2019.
The truth of the matter is that during a pandemic, society has a rise in individuals seeking mental health guidance and instead of brushing it to the side we need to find a way to meet the demand of the population. Yet, the help is smaller than the demand in mental health. Especially in schools.
The National Association of School Psychologists recommends one professional for every 500 students. Maine is the only state that meets that standard.
1,211
U.S. average students per school psychologistSource: National Association of School Psychologists analysis of 2020 U.S. Department of Education data
Vestal, C. (2021, November 9). Covid Harmed Kids' mental health-and schools are feeling it. COVID Harmed Kids' Mental Health-And Schools Are Feeling It | The Pew Charitable Trusts. Retrieved April 14, 2022, from https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2021/11/08/covid-harmed-kids-mental-health-and-schools-are-feeling-it
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