Adjustments of Staff and Youth Returning to Class

kids walking on school grounds with masks on

Adjustments of School Staff and Youth Returning to Class

Steering Committee

September 16, 2022

As we head into the new school year with renewed enthusiasm and some trepidation, most of us recognize that we are doing a little bit better than we were at this time last year. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to loom over our experiences but vaccines, updated recommendations, an understanding that COVID-19 is something we will be living with for a long time, and knowing that we can adjust as needed, has made things smoother for the start of the school year.

A recent survey points to the fact that “The pandemic has taken a clear and significant toll on students’ mental health,” … Peggy G. Carr, commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, which conducted the survey.1 The survey provides a snapshot of how students, teachers, and school communities are faring after most schools have returned to in-person instruction. Some of the findings include:

  • 7 in 10 public schools have seen a rise in students seeking MH services
  • 76% of family and staff members have expressed concerns about anxiety, depression, and trauma in students
  • Teachers have seen stunted emotional growth during the pandemic
  • 50% of public schools said they could provide effective services
  • 2 in 3 schools increased types or amounts of MH services
  • 96% provided some sort of MH services
  • 50% offered teacher training to help students with social, emotional, and mental wellbeing
  • 7 out of 10 schools have social emotional learning

We are sure that you are all seeing what the survey simply highlights, there is a great need for mental health services amongst your students and staff and much of that responsibility seems to lie with schools. DMCC is here to support your efforts and to continue to partner with you to support the needs of students and staff. We will continue to feel the effects of the pandemic for many years to come and DMCC looks forward to continuing to be your partners as we seek to do what is best for students and their families

One of the additional staggering aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic is the estimation that over 200,000 children lost a parent or other in-home caregiver due to COVID-19, that is approximately one out of every 360 children who lost a caregiver. “For these children, COVID has done more than hurt their lives; it has ended their world. Especially early in development, a parent or family caregiver fills a child’s entire sky – providing most of his or her stability, confidence, and care. The sudden, seemingly unexplainable departure of a caregiver leaves a void of affection and direction that each child will struggle to fill.”3 It is imperative that we find the students who are grieving the loss of a caregiver to provide support and additional services, if needed. We know that losing a parent/caregiver can be devastating but losing a parent to COVID-19 brings with it its own set of lingering effects. The trauma of losing a parent/caregiver to COVID-19 is exacerbated by the constant discussion of the pandemic – serving as a constant reminder of how they lost their loved one. Some children may blame themselves, especially if they somehow feel responsible for bringing COVID-19 into the home. They may feel guilt that they could have done more to protect their parent/caregiver. For some, especially early in the pandemic, there was no funeral, no memorial, no sense of closure, no chance to say goodbye surrounded by others who also loved their parent/caregiver – this compounds the sense of loss and the trauma associated with it. We also know that the pandemic has disproportionately affected Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) communities adding to the already stressful life experiences of these children – for some communities the rate of losing a parent/caregiver is almost four times more than of white children. The devastating effects of losing their parent/caregiver is compounded by the loss of income that may have come with that loss now forcing children away from their friends, neighborhoods, schools – all the familiar places that could have provided some comfort. For children in single parent/caregiver households this could mean placement with relatives or foster care adding to the trauma of the event. It is imperative that we do our best to find those kids who have been affected in this way to provide them with the support and service they need.

I also want to take this time to remind you that 988 is now active and individuals can use it to seek help when in the middle of a crisis. Dialing 988 will route callers to the newly minted Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (formerly the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). Individuals can call, text, or chat 988 (988lifeline.org) and they will be connected to trained counselors who will listen and provide support and resources as needed.

The 988 reminder is especially timely as September is designated as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. We want to take the opportunity this month to spread awareness, destigmatize, and share vital information regarding suicide.

Individual Impact:

  • 79% of all people who die by suicide are male
  • Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are 4x more likely to die by suicide
  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10–14 and the 3rd leading cause of death among people aged 15-24 in the U.S
  • Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S
  • 46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition - but research shows that 90% may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition

Community Impact: