Paying Attention to Kids Mental Health Needs

Thursday, October 20th, 2022 -- 11:00 AM

(Bob Hague, WRN) -Wisconsin’s kids need some extra attention following the disruptions of the coronavirus pandemic.

Linda Hall is Director of the state Office of Children’s Mental Health. She spoke with WisconsinEye.

“The conditions that kids have been experiencing, increasing levels of anxiety and depression, were on the rise for many years before. But the pandemic just put an extra overlay onto that. And the disruptions that they had in terms of connecting with peers, connecting with teachers. All of that just has weighed pretty heavily on them.”

“Teachers are just seeing kids coming in with just weights of sadness and trauma and things that are they really need to deal with. And everyone I think is recognizing we need to stop and really help our kids get through this.”

Hall says adults need to engage with kids. “We know that kids talk to their friends about these kinds of things, often before they talk to their parents. So it's really important for us to engage in mental health literacy with  young children."

"In fact, when we were having listening sessions during the pandemic, we had virtual listening sessions with youth, they told us, we need to be talking to elementary school kids.”

In a recent interview with WisconsinEye, Hall said it’s important for adults and kids to be aware of available mental health resources.

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