This week, I had the pleasure of participating in a virtual panel discussion on this topic, which was attended by a record number of parents. This isn’t surprising. With the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating the soaring rates of mental health problems among students today, many more families are dealing with these challenges. It is no wonder that a recent Pew report found that this is parents’ number one concern. In fact, nearly three-quarters are somewhat or very worried about kids becoming anxious or depressed.
This panel provided both legal and psychological insights into how to help your student. How are the educational disruptions of the pandemic still affecting young people? What can you do to ensure that your student’s needs are addressed by the school system. What rights do you have? What is the best way to share your concerns with school personnel? At home, how can you be proactive in getting your kids to do small tasks in getting ready for school? How can kids and teens work to their capacity while maintaining a healthy balance in their lives? What should you do if you’re seeing signs of school avoidance or refusal? How can the school help? And, as one parent asked, what are the 3 or 4 top solutions that will have the most impact on mental health?
If you weren’t able to attend the live event, you can access this informative panel via YouTube or Zoom