Blog

one year of COVID

March 11, 2021  |  Coping, COVID-19, kids, Mental health
Kids pandemic emotions

It's hard to believe - well, maybe not so hard - that today marks one year since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. In that time, our lives changed in so many ways - and not always in good ways.

While we've had to change some things, like wear a mask and social distance and do a better job of washing hands, there have been some good things that came out of "pandemic quarantine". Some of us took up new hobbies, while others exercised more. Some of us learned the value of a good book, while some others communed with nature.

But there are other things that became problems, too. Some didn't like being away from family and friends. Others hated the masks, despite the science that backed their use.

But our kids have also paid some price, too. virtual schooling has not been easy for many kids. They lack the social interaction with friends that in-person school brings. There are also cyber-bullying and truancy cocnerns that created issues among our young people.

We can certainly work with our kids to help them know they can talk with us. It doesn't matter if you're the parent, an aunt or uncle, a grandparent or a neighbor. Here are a few things to try:

  1. Let children know they can choose one or more adults they trust and talk with them.
  2. Have kids write about their feelings and share them with you.
  3. Do some exercises at home or outside, now that the weather's beginning to warm up.

If the issues your kids express seem deeper or extreme, call the Mobile Response & Stabilization Services (MRSS) team at (877) 695-6333, or check into help through one of our contract agencies under the "Find Help" tab above.

We are seeing lots of progress to make it through the pandemic, and people are getting vaccinated at higher and higher rates. That's all good! But we also know it's no time to be less vigilant - especially when it comes to the trauma our kids may have experienced. There IS help available.

You just have to ask.