Did school closures during COVID-19 impact children's mental health?

Yes, a new study indicates school closures are linked to significant mental health problems like depression, anxiety, and ADHD in children.

How did reopening schools affect children's well-being?

Children experienced a 43% lower risk of mental health diagnoses after schools reopened, with girls particularly benefiting.

What lessons can be learned from the pandemic's school closures?

The findings suggest prioritizing safe school reopenings and school-based social/emotional resources during future public health emergencies.

Home / Health / School Closures Harm Kids' Mental Health

School Closures Harm Kids' Mental Health

9 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Children had a 43% lower risk of mental health diagnosis after reopening.
Girls particularly benefited from returning to in-person schooling.
Spending on psychiatric drugs decreased by 8% post-reopening.

School closures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic are significantly associated with increased mental health issues among children, including depression, anxiety, and ADHD. A recent study analyzed health records of over 185,700 children aged 5 to 18 between March 2020 and June 2021.

Children whose schools reopened sooner exhibited lower rates of mental health problems compared to those with prolonged closures. Notably, after schools reopened, children had a 43% reduced risk of a mental health diagnosis, with spending on psychiatric medications decreasing by 8%.

These findings underscore the vital role of in-person schooling in children's overall well-being. Researchers emphasize that during future public health emergencies, prioritizing safe school reopenings and ensuring access to school-provided social and emotional resources should be paramount.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.