The New Normal: What impact has the pandemic had on children's mental health?

News 12's Elizabeth Hashagen was joined by Dr. Liz Matheis, a licensed clinical psychologist and certified school psychologist, to discuss how the pandemic has impacted children's mental health.

News 12 Staff

Apr 15, 2022, 2:47 PM

Updated 898 days ago

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The New Normal: What impact has the pandemic had on children's mental health?
News 12's Elizabeth Hashagen was joined by Dr. Liz Matheis, a licensed clinical psychologist and certified school psychologist, to discuss how the pandemic has impacted children's mental health. 
Mental health concerns, including intense feelings of sadness and hopelessness, among young people have been increasing even before the pandemic.
A February study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that one in five teenagers in the U.S. had experienced at least one episode of major depression between 2013 and 2019.
And in 2019, nearly 19% of high school students said they had seriously considered suicide. 
Dr. Matheis says she thinks the rise in mental health issues is caused in part by pressures that are put on children in school. 
Can parents inadvertently cause anxiety in their children? Dr. Matheis says it's important for parents to be mindful of the language they use with their children. 
Does social media have a role in negatively impacting children's mental health? Dr. Matheis says social media platforms have become a place of unhealthy comparison.