We need to focus on kids' mental health beyond the pandemic, experts say
The Maine Department of Health has resources available for schools and families
The Maine Department of Health has resources available for schools and families
The Maine Department of Health has resources available for schools and families
The last year and a half has been very stressful for a lot of people, including children. There is a big focus on mental health as students return to the classroom for the new school year, but experts say it will be important that children who struggled before the pandemic don't fall through the cracks.
"Mental health is such an important part before the pandemic," said Bear Shea, mental health specialist for the Maine Department of Education. "And now is certainly one that’s very prevalent which is one of the silver linings is that we are talking about it."
Shea says the need for mental health services is widespread within schools, for both students and staff.
"They've had a very intense year and our school leadership, dealing with life and death decisions," said Shea.
He says in the short-term, the focus on mental health may help kids who have struggled in the past to not feel so alone with their struggles. But he says moving forward, it will be important for parents and teachers to keep checking in with kids, even long into the school year.
"Whether that's from hearing about how your kid is doing in school, not just the academics, not just the physical health, but really about how they are just handling the every day in general," said Shea.
He says changes in children's behavior connected to struggles with mental health often go unnoticed if parents don't routinely speak with their kids about their concerns.
The state Department of Education does offer resources online, including a tool-kit for family engagement.
There are also resources and support programs through the Maine chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
