This browser does not support the Video element.
Pediatric mental health issues on the rise
Catherine Hawley reports
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Since March, there has been a significant uptick in the number of school-aged kids going to the emergency room since the beginning of the pandemic. New research shows the trips are not for minor mishaps at home, but for things like anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.
The report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows how the pandemic may be impacting children mentally.
The agency analyzed data from 47 states and found, from March to October, mental health related emergency department visits increased 24% for kids ages 5 to 11 and were up 31% for 12 to 17-year-olds compared to the same time last year.
“And I don’t think that is surprising given the amount of stress everyone is under, but certainly our children and adolescents,” said Dr. Jennifer Katzenstein, Director of Psychology and Neuropsychology at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.
She says more parents are bringing their kids to the ER because of a mental health crisis or unsafe situation.
MORE: Doctors say ending the pandemic requires masks, social distancing and a vaccine
“We know from previous times of pandemic that we’d expect to see increases in anxiety, increases in stress, increases in suicide attempts, overdoses, child abuse and domestic violence as well, and we are seeing,” Katzenstein said.
Experts say the CDC findings reflect the uncertainty and distress kids have been experiencing. Activities and sports were put on hold, rites of passage like prom and graduation were cancelled, and there were already barriers to accessing mental health care before coronavirus.
“And so when we were already starting out in a situation where we weren’t able to meet those mental health concerns as best we could for our children and adolescents, we superimposed a pandemic on top of that and really exacerbated likely what was already brewing underneath,” said Katzenstein.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Experts hold out hope for ending pandemic in 2021
Health officials agree the winter months could bring some of the worst COVID-19 infection numbers yet, but they also have hope that the pandemic could soon come to an end if the public continues safety measures and the vaccine becomes available.
She says children should be able to get the help they need before it turns into an emergency, and there are things you can do at home.
It is important for families to have open conversations, make sure your kids are on a good sleep routine, and reinforce healthy coping strategies for high stress situations.
“I think now more than ever this is an amazing time to be connecting with your pediatrician, with your family physician about mental health concerns, just checking in getting that barometer,” Katzenstein said.
If you feel sick:
The Florida Department of Health has opened a COVID-19 Call Center at 1-866-779-6121. Agents will answer questions around the clock. Questions may also be emailed to covid-19@flhealth.gov. Email responses will be sent during call center hours.
LINK: Florida's COVID-19 website
CORONAVIRUS IN FLORIDA: What you need to know
AROUND THE WORLD: CoronavirusNOW.com
Map of known COVID-19 cases:
MOBILE APP USERS: Click here for map