The Pandemic is Jeopardizing the Mental Health of our Youth

Courtesy of The MLO Minute: By Allyson McAndrews, M.Ed., Director of Marketing and Community Outreach

The COVID-19 pandemic has heavily impacted the lives of individuals everywhere and has had an adverse effect on the mental health of many people. Children and teens have been particularly affected by the drastic changes that have occurred over the past year. Last March, just as we were coming out of the dark of winter, spring seemed right around the corner.

For kids, this meant more sunlight and outdoor time, spring sports and extracurricular activities, with longer days to enjoy friends and family. Summer was only a few months away and children looked forward to summer camps, graduation parties, and 4th of July celebrations. Little did we know that the pandemic would cancel nearly everything.