Boys & Girls Clubs of Stoneham & Wakefield focus on teen mental health following pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has served as a catalyst for adolescent mental health conversations at organizations such the Boys & Girls Clubs of Stoneham & Wakefield.

"There has been a mental health crisis long before the pandemic," said Anthony Guardia, CEO of the club.  

The pandemic has had a significant impact on the nation's mental health, especially on young adults. 

More than 25% of high school students reported worsening emotional and cognitive health during the pandemic, according to a report issued by the Kaiser Family Foundation. 

The pandemic forced the Boys & Girls Clubs of Stoneham & Wakefield to temporarily close its physical doors, but the organization transitioned to an online format for middle and high schoolers.

The club, an affiliate of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, serves over 3,000 youth ages 5 to 18 in Stoneham, Mass.

The club has adapted the after-school programs' formats and services to better serve the community based on emerging pandemic-related needs. 

The club has implemented precautionary measures and invested in air purifiers to reduce the risk of transmission. 

"What we're seeing in our program is that the middle-aged kids have suffered a lot [during the pandemic]," said Guardia. "That's why I think it was really important for us to bring back those after-school programs." 

"I never saw empathy from strangers until I came to the clubs. When my mom worked late, they let us stay later. When I was sad, they asked what was wrong," read one testimonial on the club's website.

Guarcia said it was important to the club's staff to bring kids back to their facilities since "they were stuck at home for so long." 

The Boys & Girls Clubs on a national level offers mental health resources for both children and parents, including a hotline.

The local chapter has promoted these resources and is dedicated to further educating staff of youth trauma in order to better understand and serve participants. 

The club has returned to full capacity, which is lower than pre-pandemic levels to accommodate for social distancing. 

"Our staff have been real troopers during this whole process," Guardia said.  "This year, they have figured out how to still make this a fun educational experience for these kids." 

The Boys & Girls Club has begun looking towards adjusting programs once again this winter when it can no longer rely on outdoors spaces.