Warnings Raised For Children’s Pandemic Mental Health Struggles

Roll Call: Children Face Added Mental Health Struggles During Pandemic
Psychiatrist Tami Benton was recently called to the emergency department about a child whose family had concerns about the girl’s suicidal threats to run into traffic and end her life. The child was only 5 years old. Both of the child’s parents had lost their jobs. The mother was struggling with depression, stressed by the demands of the pandemic. (Raman, 5/19)

Axios: Poll: LGBTQ Kids Find More Acceptance Online Than At Home 
Almost 70% of LGBTQ youth polled in the annual mental health survey from the Trevor Project said they found more validation and community online than at home or school. The survey, a snapshot taken during the dark pandemic winter, shows how LGBTQ adolescents relied on online spaces for support. That need can also be a double-edged sword, as an overwhelming majority said social media had both positive and negative impacts on their mental health. (Rummier, 5/21)

Good Morning America: How Chelsea Clinton Is Advocating For Others To Protect Their Mental Health
Activists, advocates and celebrities across the globe are recognizing the importance of mental health awareness on Mental Health Action Day.Chelsea Clinton -- daughter of former President Bill Clinton and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton -- has been passionate about pushing public health efforts for the last two decades, including mental health awareness. "Self-care is so individual; the right answer is probably very different for me compared to anyone else," Clinton told "Good Morning America." "There are a few different dimensions. For me, spending time with my kids is a form of self-care. I'm a much happier person when I'm with my family. I try my hardest, while living in this virtual world, to preserve dinnertime, storytime and bathtime with my children. It's really important for my emotional well-being, too." (Anderson, 5/20)