Returning to the Classroom is Good for Children’s Mental Health

Date: 04/08/21

After nearly a year of at-home learning, students returning to in-person classes feel like a light at the end of the tunnel. As families prepare to send their students back to the classroom, Buckeye Health Plan shares the benefits of in-person learning to children’s mental health.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions for Ohio students. Prior to the pandemic, mental health disorders were the most common diseases of childhood,^¹ affecting one in five children.^² Anxiety and depression were among the top diagnosed mental disorders in children ages 3-17 and suicide was the second leading cause of death in youth ages 10-24^{³, ⁴} As children remained at home, parents could see the toll the pandemic was having on their children’s mental health. According to a recent Gallup study, thirty-percent of parents said their child was “experiencing harm" to their emotional or mental health because of social distancing and school closures.^⁵ Healthcare workers noted the spike in children’s suicidal ideations, depression and anxiety as well. Mental health-related hospital visits increased by 31 percent in youth age 12 to 17 years in 2020 compared to 2019.^⁶

In-person learning may be the remedy to mental health challenges, offering students’ a sense of community and support through a network of friendships, teachers and other resources. Most importantly, returning to in-person learning can lead to early detection, support and treatment for mental health challenges. School staff are trained to spot the signs of mental health concerns and districts across the student have made therapists and counselors available to address students’ mental health needs.

In response to the stress related to the pandemic and at-home risk factors, schools expect to see significant changes in student behavior when they return. To help children learn to identify, express and manage their complex emotions in a safe way, schools are implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports frameworks and activities.^⁷ Considerations are also being made to increase social and emotional learning through a dedicated curriculum that builds skills such as self-awareness, emotional regulation, flexible thinking, relationship building and responsible decision-making. Developing these skills supports students’ abilities to adapt during uncertain times.^⁸

For students suffering from suicidal thoughts, schools are connecting families to mental health resources, including Ohio’s CareLine, a toll-free emotional support call service created by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and administered in community settings where behavioral health professionals offer confidential support and connections to resources in times of personal or family crisis 24 hours a day, 7 days/week.^⁹

In-person learning will be an adjustment for many families, but the benefits may outweigh the risks of prolonged isolation. Help is available for families with mental health concerns. Buckeye’s behavioral health crisis line to support members' emotional needs: 1-866-246-4358 and press* For more information, visit BuckeyeHealthPlan.com.

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