By: Shari Shapiro
In my 40-year role as the steward of a social service agency I don’t think there has been a time I’ve felt more proud of the work we do, or been more acutely aware that our efforts at Kids In Crisis are vital to the health of the children in our community. We’re approaching the year anniversary of the time families retreated into their homes, and abandoned schools and workplaces to quell the spread of COVID-19. In doing so, we’ve successfully reduced the viral spread, but the isolation, lack of structure and uncertainty has taken its toll on our children.
Crisis can look very different from one child to another, and its symptoms can be well-hidden, so that even close family members have difficulty discerning the signs. Children and adolescents can withdraw into a world of video games and social media to manage their stress and boost their serotonin levels. Nationwide, mental health professionals are reporting an increase in video game addiction and substance abuse as a result of the increased stress on children. Suicide rates amoung adolescents has also increased.
The rise of crisis situations and addictive behaviors has been a great concern for our program staff at Kids In Crisis as our TeenTalk outreach counselors in 13 Fairfield County schools have had to pivot and work remotely when their school districts engage in distance learning. While many students are retreating into a virtual world for socialization and activity, they are also experiencing significant digital fatigue which makes it difficult for them to access mental health resources available to them in times of need. Our counselors are reporting a sharp increase in mental health prevention and intervention services from families who have never before required assistance, and many don’t have established relationships with mental health professionals to whom they can turn. We’re grateful to be in a position where we can guide families to immediate help and facilitate their healing.
Kids in Crisis clinical staff are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to answer incoming calls to our Helpline for anyone concerned about the well-being of a child. This year, during the pandemic, calls received have largely been seeking help for family conflict at 50% of our overall Helpline calls, followed by requests for mental health assistance and finally child homelessness. Distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has created a situation where mandated reporters in the schools are not seeing students on a regular basis and are therefore less able to identify behaviors that would indicate a mental health crisis or abuse. As a result, the Kids In Crisis Helpline is our greatest crisis prevention and intervention tool in the community, and we’re working hard to get the Helpline number into the hands of the people who need it, with targeted awareness campaigns. We’re also very proud that the Kids In Crisis SafeHaven shelter is one of the only shelters in the state to remain fully open since the beginning of the pandemic. We strictly observe all State of CT Health Department guidelines to ensure a safe stay for our residents and staff.
As more and more people are in receipt of the COVID-19 vaccine our children will experience greater freedoms and more socialization. As care-givers we are looking forward to seeing the effects of a renewed sense of hope in our children’s lives, and in our community. With signs of spring in the air, and a promise of brighter days to come, we’re increasingly hopeful that we’ll all be able to get together with friends and family for the most effective prevention of childhood mental health issues – friendship, love and human connection.
If you or anyone you know is concerned about the well-being of a child, please call the Kids In Crisis Helpline at 203-661-1911. All services are free, and calls are confidential. You are not alone – we’re here to help.
