Students’ stress, grief a concern
things like mindfulness and stress reduction lessons for students.
Even though Spain saw less referrals since school shutdowns began in March, she doesn’t believe the numbers reflect that there is not a need for counseling.
“With COVID-19, you are in the house and you are talking with someone about what is going on with other people in the house so that looks different. I don’t believe in any way that it is not happening, it is happening, students probably need to talk to a counselor or a mental health professional,”
Spain said.
In particular, Spain said schools will need to be prepared for when students come back to the classroom, looking forward to deal with stress reduction and grief.
“We don’t know how families have been directly impacted by COVID-19. We don’t know what grief the students are going through right now,” she said.
Mary Stuart Kempton, a school psychologist at Southern Middle, said during the school closure some students may be less stressed due to less social interaction or school-related anxiety while others may be grieving the lack of social interactions.
“It is hard to know what the fall will look like and what mental health issues students may return with — some will relish being back with friends and involved in activities.
Others might go back to having some of that social stress or school related anxiety,” she said.
Sabina Khan, a senior at Severna Park High and co-founder of a mental health awareness group called Our Minds Matter, said the stay-at-home orders have taken a toll on students.
“People have found solace in their friends. I think a lot of students have come up with their own coping mechanisms, if they haven’t already they are definitely working on it now…everyone around me is at their most depressed that I’ve ever seen.”
She pointed out that the Anne Arundel Board of Education and school system are dealing with a range of issues to address the pandemic and compared it to a Hydra — cutting off one head just means another appears.
“I think right now, mental health is being handled by friends and by families, which is definitely really difficult for a lot of people who aren’t as privileged as their neighbor.”
Amy Stapleton, a bereavement manager for the Chesapeake Life Center said students can experience “an ambiguous loss.”
She said it is a type of loss that is not often named and happens with a transition.
As students remain at home, they may not be able to see friends or teachers, participate in sports or walk across a stage for graduation, “all the things that give their life meaning and purpose,” she said.
“Kids really thrive on structure, on knowing who and what they can count on and so much of what we are living in is ambiguity and uncertainty,” Stapleton said Once families are able to address basic needs and routine settles back in, Stapleton said that is when responses to loss can occur. She advises adults and guardians not dismiss how children feel but instead acknowledge the emotions and feelings.
The center was scheduled to train school counselors on ambiguous loss to provide them help on what to do for children who experience that loss, Stapleton said.
One particular population of students may be hit hard. Earlier this month, Jen Corbin, the director of Anne Arundel Crisis Response, recalled seeing an increased number of homeless youth and families, and the anxieties born out of uncertain job prospects or housing situations.
“We’re assessing the parents who are struggling but over time what happens to those youths if we don’t wrap ourselves around them and make sure they’re OK,”
Corbin asked. She said parents are scared they will not be able to pay rent and others are concerned about job security.
Overall, her team has seen an almost 50% decline in youth assessments conducted by the mobile crisis staff. Normally, her team will have around 45 but for the month of April had only 20, Corbin said.
Corbin said addressing mental health needs will require a county effort.
Last year, the county mental health department and school services came together to form a task force on mental health. Voegtlin, a co-chair of the task force, said a summary of recommendations have been sent to Superintendent George Arlotto and for the board to review. But he pointed out that the board could extend the task force timeline to the fall in order to give the group more time to assess possible needs based on pandemic concerns.
Corbin said the response from the school system and county agencies has come with good communication and an online environment for resources.
The Department of Student Resources is working to help families access what they need, said the homeless education liaison Jennifer Laque.
The school system supports 1,093 students who are considered homeless as they are not in traditional housing situations but could be in shelters or living with others, Laque said.
Even though Spain saw less referrals since school shutdowns began in March, she doesn’t believe the numbers reflect that there is not a need for counseling.
“With COVID-19, you are in the house and you are talking with someone about what is going on with other people in the house so that looks different. I don’t believe in any way that it is not happening, it is happening, students probably need to talk to a counselor or a mental health professional,”
Spain said.
In particular, Spain said schools will need to be prepared for when students come back to the classroom, looking forward to deal with stress reduction and grief.
“We don’t know how families have been directly impacted by COVID-19. We don’t know what grief the students are going through right now,” she said.
Mary Stuart Kempton, a school psychologist at Southern Middle, said during the school closure some students may be less stressed due to less social interaction or school-related anxiety while others may be grieving the lack of social interactions.
“It is hard to know what the fall will look like and what mental health issues students may return with — some will relish being back with friends and involved in activities.
Others might go back to having some of that social stress or school related anxiety,” she said.
Sabina Khan, a senior at Severna Park High and co-founder of a mental health awareness group called Our Minds Matter, said the stay-at-home orders have taken a toll on students.
“People have found solace in their friends. I think a lot of students have come up with their own coping mechanisms, if they haven’t already they are definitely working on it now…everyone around me is at their most depressed that I’ve ever seen.”
She pointed out that the Anne Arundel Board of Education and school system are dealing with a range of issues to address the pandemic and compared it to a Hydra — cutting off one head just means another appears.
“I think right now, mental health is being handled by friends and by families, which is definitely really difficult for a lot of people who aren’t as privileged as their neighbor.”
Amy Stapleton, a bereavement manager for the Chesapeake Life Center said students can experience “an ambiguous loss.”
She said it is a type of loss that is not often named and happens with a transition.
As students remain at home, they may not be able to see friends or teachers, participate in sports or walk across a stage for graduation, “all the things that give their life meaning and purpose,” she said.
“Kids really thrive on structure, on knowing who and what they can count on and so much of what we are living in is ambiguity and uncertainty,” Stapleton said Once families are able to address basic needs and routine settles back in, Stapleton said that is when responses to loss can occur. She advises adults and guardians not dismiss how children feel but instead acknowledge the emotions and feelings.
The center was scheduled to train school counselors on ambiguous loss to provide them help on what to do for children who experience that loss, Stapleton said.
One particular population of students may be hit hard. Earlier this month, Jen Corbin, the director of Anne Arundel Crisis Response, recalled seeing an increased number of homeless youth and families, and the anxieties born out of uncertain job prospects or housing situations.
“We’re assessing the parents who are struggling but over time what happens to those youths if we don’t wrap ourselves around them and make sure they’re OK,”
Corbin asked. She said parents are scared they will not be able to pay rent and others are concerned about job security.
Overall, her team has seen an almost 50% decline in youth assessments conducted by the mobile crisis staff. Normally, her team will have around 45 but for the month of April had only 20, Corbin said.
Corbin said addressing mental health needs will require a county effort.
Last year, the county mental health department and school services came together to form a task force on mental health. Voegtlin, a co-chair of the task force, said a summary of recommendations have been sent to Superintendent George Arlotto and for the board to review. But he pointed out that the board could extend the task force timeline to the fall in order to give the group more time to assess possible needs based on pandemic concerns.
Corbin said the response from the school system and county agencies has come with good communication and an online environment for resources.
The Department of Student Resources is working to help families access what they need, said the homeless education liaison Jennifer Laque.
The school system supports 1,093 students who are considered homeless as they are not in traditional housing situations but could be in shelters or living with others, Laque said.
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