Researchers and public health experts continue to collect important data on children’s mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the full impact of pandemic mitigation measures on child/adolescent mental health may not be known for some time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in addition to pandemic-related stressors, there may be unintended consequences of public health efforts to effectively manage the pandemic, including reduced or modified access to places such as schools and clinical and community agencies where trained adult professionals are able to identify and help children who may be struggling with mental health or other social-emotional problems. We do, however, know that children and adolescents thrive on positive peer social interactions and that the traditional ways children interact with friends has been significantly limited by the steps required to curb the spread of COVID-19. Those social-emotional bonds are critically important for children and especially teens. As we enter one year since the early stages of the pandemic in March 2020, the real challenge for children is how to physically distance while maintaining socially and emotionally close to others. Though it is important to balance the risk of screen-time overload, technology remains a key resource for allowing children to continue to feel connected to their peers. Equally important is catching warning signs of mental health [...]

by Dr. Sosunmolu Shoyinka MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer, City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) As we approach the anniversary of the onset of COVID worldwide, people all over the world are experiencing a variety of emotions. As a result of COVID, most people have experienced isolation, stress, anxiety, and confusion at some point. Many have lost loved ones. Many others have lost their usual source of income. Reading and hearing about the number of deaths from COVID is distressing. Family and other relationships have been particularly stressed by isolation and distancing protocols put in place to limit the spread of COVID. Amidst all this, there has been an increase in alcohol and/or drug use to cope. Even with the approach of spring and the availability of vaccines, anxiety and stress levels remain high for many. Those with pre-existing anxiety and other mental health conditions may be particularly at risk. Individuals and teams whose work brings them in contact with infected persons have experienced stress and anxiety about possibly contracting COVID and/or spreading it to their loved ones. Other groups at risk for increased stress include the elderly, those caring for sick or vulnerable persons, and those experiencing significant changes to work, travel, or family life. For some groups, such as working parents of young [...]