New York — When children return to school, it’s important to check their mental health.
CBS2’s Jenna DeAngelis took tips from the experts and spoke with local parents.
“The pandemic has affected everyone a lot, right?” said Eastchester parent Katya Brinkman.
The past two years have been tough times for everyone, especially the children.
Brinkmann shared how her family was affected.
“My daughter was totally insecure. She’s 11. I feel like my 17-year-old daughter missed a lot of social stuff,” she said. “It’s been really, really hard for them.”
As a result, the mother of three is in constant communication with her children.
“We talk about mental health, how COVID has affected us and how hard it has been for everyone.
As children return to school, licensed clinical social worker Michael Tozzoli says that open dialogue is key, along with prioritizing connections.
“We allow children to really express themselves and build trust in a world that’s not as scary as it looks. We can trust each other and really connect with each other,” he said. .
He also suggests:
- Stick to a schedule, says predictability makes kids feel safer,
- always listen to your children, and
- Consider how you react to stress.
“Remember, kids are watching everything we do,” Tozzoli said. What does my child see when he feels
Tozzoli says it’s just as important to prioritize your mental health as your physical health. Don’t wait to seek care.
“Small fires are much easier to extinguish than large ones, so reach out sooner or later,” he said.
New York City resident Marina Kidekel had another idea.
“They’re for anxiety relief. They can also help you sleep and help you focus,” she said. It combines the emotional connection of your favorite stuffed animal.”
Whatever the approach, Dr. Nancy Roy of the Jed Foundation says it’s important to recognize that while the pandemic may have passed, its impact isn’t over yet.
“It won’t just go away. It will last for a while, so we need to continue to pay attention to what we see in our students and do our best to support them,” she said. The silver lining is that it has brought mental health to the forefront of people’s minds.”
Experts want mental health to continue to be a priority, especially for our children.
Roy also made another important point. Our children are struggling not just with the pandemic, but with everything going on in the world, from school shootings to racial violence to hate crimes, and they realize the importance of continuing dialogue. doing.
