School Closures Harm Kids' Mental Health

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.