One year with COVID-19: Pandemic taking toll on childrens mental health – WMTW Portland

The ongoing pandemic has taken a staggering toll on the mental health of children.The number of children between the ages of 5 and 11 going to the emergency room for mental health-related issues has increased 24% since the start of the pandemic.For children ages 12 to 17, the increase was even larger at 31%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Maine Medical Center pediatrician Dr. Lynne Tetreault said she has never seen anything like it."We are seeing a mental health pandemic, Tetreault said.Children are known to adapt to change, but the pandemic has been too much for some."We are going through something that we have never really been through before. It is normal to have these fears and anxiety, but it is hitting the kids really hard, Tetreault said. "I have been talking about anxiety and depression four or five times a day for several months."She said it is younger children who are often having the hardest time adapting to the situation."I am seeing a lot of 6 and 7-year-olds that are struggling, Tetreault said.For many, it is the change in routine and the isolation."They are not seeing their friends. They may not have the same routine and schedule, and it is hard getting used to that, Tetreault said.Tetreault said it is also important to note that not all children are struggling."Kids are adaptable and some of them are doing great with this new schedule of Zoom and being at home and being remote. But others are struggling, and so, it is really important to seek help, Tetreault said.For children who are struggling, she said there are resources available to them and their parents."I encourage parents to reach out to their pediatrician or their school counselor for ways to deal with anxiety and depression and the fears we are seeing in our children, Tetreault said.The CDC said mental health is one of the biggest pandemic issues children and adults will face. One silver lining is telehealth and other virtual services are now available.

The ongoing pandemic has taken a staggering toll on the mental health of children.

The number of children between the ages of 5 and 11 going to the emergency room for mental health-related issues has increased 24% since the start of the pandemic.

For children ages 12 to 17, the increase was even larger at 31%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Maine Medical Center pediatrician Dr. Lynne Tetreault said she has never seen anything like it.

"We are seeing a mental health pandemic, Tetreault said.

Children are known to adapt to change, but the pandemic has been too much for some.

"We are going through something that we have never really been through before. It is normal to have these fears and anxiety, but it is hitting the kids really hard, Tetreault said. "I have been talking about anxiety and depression four or five times a day for several months."

She said it is younger children who are often having the hardest time adapting to the situation.

"I am seeing a lot of 6 and 7-year-olds that are struggling, Tetreault said.

For many, it is the change in routine and the isolation.

"They are not seeing their friends. They may not have the same routine and schedule, and it is hard getting used to that, Tetreault said.

Tetreault said it is also important to note that not all children are struggling.

"Kids are adaptable and some of them are doing great with this new schedule of Zoom and being at home and being remote. But others are struggling, and so, it is really important to seek help, Tetreault said.

For children who are struggling, she said there are resources available to them and their parents.

"I encourage parents to reach out to their pediatrician or their school counselor for ways to deal with anxiety and depression and the fears we are seeing in our children, Tetreault said.

The CDC said mental health is one of the biggest pandemic issues children and adults will face. One silver lining is telehealth and other virtual services are now available.

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One year with COVID-19: Pandemic taking toll on childrens mental health - WMTW Portland