Will the Pandemic Have Long-Term Effects on Children’s Mental Health?

Here’s the Scoop

The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Children’s Hospital Association released a joint “declaration of a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health.”

“This worsening crisis in child and adolescent mental health is inextricably tied to the stress brought on by COVID-19 […] represents an acceleration of trends observed prior to 2020. Rates of childhood mental health concerns and suicide rose steadily between 2010 and 2020 and by 2018 suicide was the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24. The pandemic has intensified this crisis: across the country we have witnessed dramatic increases in Emergency Department visits for all mental health emergencies including suspected suicide attempts,” the statement read.