Health

16 HE ALTH • Fall 2022 By Laura Finaldi Y outh mental health was a burgeoning cri- sis even before COVID-19 closed schools and put a pause on social events. But now, at the tail end of the pandem- ic, experts say kids are still struggling to deal with the psychological ramifications of the past two and a half years. Crucial components of childhood, like in-person schooling, socialization, and after- school activities, suddenly had to stop. Children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds had to deal with a lack of adequate food or hous- ing if their parents lost their jobs. And others suf- fered abuse in silence because they weren't regu- larly seen by teachers and guidance counselors. Youth mental health in the U.S. is at a bit of a tipping point, so much so that U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory about it in December. In Central Mass., nonprofits and school districts are dealing with the ramifications and ramping up support services. "If we seize this moment, step up for our children and their families in their moment of need, and lead with inclusion, kindness, and respect, we can lay the foun- dation for a healthier, more resilient, and more fulfilled nation," Murthy wrote. Inciting issues The pandemic arrived when mental health e COVID pandemic created lasting challenges for youth mental health, as schools, providers, and nonprofits work to get them the help they need issues among kids were growing more prevalent. The share of high school students who reported feeling sad or hopeless increased by 40% between 2009 and 2019, and the suicide rate for people ages 10 to 24 was up 57% between 2007 and 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Youth psychiatric visits to emergency depart- ments for depression, anxiety, and other behavior- al health challenges increased by 28% between 2011 and 2015, and of the 7.7 million children who had a mental health disorder in 2016, about half did not get adequate treatment, HHS said. Before the pandemic, Worcester Public Schools students exhibited signs of depression and anxiety, and some presented with aggressive confronta- tional behavior, Marie Morse, the district's assis- tant superintendent, said. Others had suicidal thoughts and needed clinical intervention, which the younger children showed through their behav- ior since they didn't have the words to communi- cate those feelings. But after students returned to school, Morse said, those problems got more widespread. Dramatic and varied behaviors, including things like verbal combativeness, acting disrespectful or withdrawn, physical dysregulation, and refusing to do work often occurred within the classroom. "These types of scenarios, while not completely gone, are less likely to occur, as schools have set up programs and ways to triage, support, and help students get through periodic [social and emotional learn- ing] issues," Morse said. "However, we still need help. Our schools are doing all they can, but we were not trained for this. While we survived the year, we need to not just get through. We real- ly need to figure this out with our community." After COVID hit, depression and anxiety symp- toms among kids across the world doubled, with 25% of youth experiencing symptoms of depres- sion and 20% experiencing anxiety symptoms, the Helping children live better Fred Kaelin, execu- tive director of the SHINE Initiative David Jordan, pres- ident of the Seven Hills Foundation

• Cover