Unintended Consequences of Covid

[Anonymous]

And the chart coincides more with the advent of smartphones than covid - though lockdowns surely didn't help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I don't really understand what people seek to gain from continuing to harp on this. I'd much rather put time and energy into mental health funding.

Yes, lockdown sucked. Yes, I wanted my kids back in school and I advocated for that. No, I am not going to spend the rest of our lives being upset about decisions that were made during a once in a century pandemic.

If we are lucky, we won't live through anything worse. If we are unlucky, COVID will look like a cakewalk and at least we will understand what a lockdown means.

NP and while I agree with some of your comments I think your overall tone is very callous. I wouldn’t describe a concern about teen suicide or homicide ‘harping’. Are you suggesting we just keep chugging along and ignore the fact that our young people are taking their lives? You just seem cold about a very serious topic.

[Anonymous]

And what does mental health funding mean? There aren’t enough care providers to support the mental health issues in this country. What are you planning to fund that will have immediate impact?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I don't really understand what people seek to gain from continuing to harp on this. I'd much rather put time and energy into mental health funding.

Yes, lockdown sucked. Yes, I wanted my kids back in school and I advocated for that. No, I am not going to spend the rest of our lives being upset about decisions that were made during a once in a century pandemic.

If we are lucky, we won't live through anything worse. If we are unlucky, COVID will look like a cakewalk and at least we will understand what a lockdown means.

NP and while I agree with some of your comments I think your overall tone is very callous. I wouldn’t describe a concern about teen suicide or homicide ‘harping’. Are you suggesting we just keep chugging along and ignore the fact that our young people are taking their lives? You just seem cold about a very serious topic.

None of this can be blamed for Covid. And, posting here blaming Covid is not helpful. Get help for your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And what does mental health funding mean? There aren’t enough care providers to support the mental health issues in this country. What are you planning to fund that will have immediate impact?

There are lots of options. Maybe not great ones but there are options. Most parents don’t want to deal with it except the rare few.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I don't really understand what people seek to gain from continuing to harp on this. I'd much rather put time and energy into mental health funding.

Yes, lockdown sucked. Yes, I wanted my kids back in school and I advocated for that. No, I am not going to spend the rest of our lives being upset about decisions that were made during a once in a century pandemic.

If we are lucky, we won't live through anything worse. If we are unlucky, COVID will look like a cakewalk and at least we will understand what a lockdown means.

What do you mean by mental health funding? How would that funding be used? It is nearly impossible to get into a children's therapist in NoVa these days, let alone a psychiatrist. There just aren't enough trained people to meet the needs of families in crisis these days. Short of opening up a lot more spaces in Universities and medical schools - and funding would not help that - what can be done with more funding?

There are lots of virtual options. It’s not impossible.

For most people Covid was not big deal. Most kids have been back in school for two years, many never had virtual. Kids have always had mental health issues. Many parents check out when kids hit middle school. That could be a be a big factor along with genetics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I don't really understand what people seek to gain from continuing to harp on this. I'd much rather put time and energy into mental health funding.

Yes, lockdown sucked. Yes, I wanted my kids back in school and I advocated for that. No, I am not going to spend the rest of our lives being upset about decisions that were made during a once in a century pandemic.

If we are lucky, we won't live through anything worse. If we are unlucky, COVID will look like a cakewalk and at least we will understand what a lockdown means.

What do you mean by mental health funding? How would that funding be used? It is nearly impossible to get into a children's therapist in NoVa these days, let alone a psychiatrist. There just aren't enough trained people to meet the needs of families in crisis these days. Short of opening up a lot more spaces in Universities and medical schools - and funding would not help that - what can be done with more funding?

There are lots of virtual options. It’s not impossible.

For most people Covid was not big deal. Most kids have been back in school for two years, many never had virtual. Kids have always had mental health issues. Many parents check out when kids hit middle school. That could be a be a big factor along with genetics.

How old were your kids during the pandemic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And what does mental health funding mean? There aren’t enough care providers to support the mental health issues in this country. What are you planning to fund that will have immediate impact?

There are lots of options. Maybe not great ones but there are options. Most parents don’t want to deal with it except the rare few.

Do you speak from experience? You've had a suicidal kid that you were able to get help for - maybe not "great" help, but help. The parents who are in the trenches dealing with the fallout are like canaries in a coal mine. We know there is a huge problem and that help is not really available unless we can pay out of pocket and even then it is very difficult to access effect resources to help our children.

People who think Covid "lock downs" didn't impact a generation of youth are kidding themselves. But I guess we will have to wait 10 years for the longitudinal studies to get them to listen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I don't really understand what people seek to gain from continuing to harp on this. I'd much rather put time and energy into mental health funding.

Yes, lockdown sucked. Yes, I wanted my kids back in school and I advocated for that. No, I am not going to spend the rest of our lives being upset about decisions that were made during a once in a century pandemic.

If we are lucky, we won't live through anything worse. If we are unlucky, COVID will look like a cakewalk and at least we will understand what a lockdown means.

What do you mean by mental health funding? How would that funding be used? It is nearly impossible to get into a children's therapist in NoVa these days, let alone a psychiatrist. There just aren't enough trained people to meet the needs of families in crisis these days. Short of opening up a lot more spaces in Universities and medical schools - and funding would not help that - what can be done with more funding?

There are lots of virtual options. It’s not impossible.

For most people Covid was not big deal. Most kids have been back in school for two years, many never had virtual. Kids have always had mental health issues. Many parents check out when kids hit middle school. That could be a be a big factor along with genetics.

How old were your kids during the pandemic?

Middle/high school and they have actually been in virtual school for three years now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I don't really understand what people seek to gain from continuing to harp on this. I'd much rather put time and energy into mental health funding.

Yes, lockdown sucked. Yes, I wanted my kids back in school and I advocated for that. No, I am not going to spend the rest of our lives being upset about decisions that were made during a once in a century pandemic.

If we are lucky, we won't live through anything worse. If we are unlucky, COVID will look like a cakewalk and at least we will understand what a lockdown means.

What do you mean by mental health funding? How would that funding be used? It is nearly impossible to get into a children's therapist in NoVa these days, let alone a psychiatrist. There just aren't enough trained people to meet the needs of families in crisis these days. Short of opening up a lot more spaces in Universities and medical schools - and funding would not help that - what can be done with more funding?

There are lots of virtual options. It’s not impossible.

For most people Covid was not big deal. Most kids have been back in school for two years, many never had virtual. Kids have always had mental health issues. Many parents check out when kids hit middle school. That could be a be a big factor along with genetics.

How old were your kids during the pandemic?

Middle/high school and they have actually been in virtual school for three years now.

So you’re clearly not one to speak for typical situations and kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And what does mental health funding mean? There aren’t enough care providers to support the mental health issues in this country. What are you planning to fund that will have immediate impact?

There are lots of options. Maybe not great ones but there are options. Most parents don’t want to deal with it except the rare few.

Do you speak from experience? You've had a suicidal kid that you were able to get help for - maybe not "great" help, but help. The parents who are in the trenches dealing with the fallout are like canaries in a coal mine. We know there is a huge problem and that help is not really available unless we can pay out of pocket and even then it is very difficult to access effect resources to help our children.

People who think Covid "lock downs" didn't impact a generation of youth are kidding themselves. But I guess we will have to wait 10 years for the longitudinal studies to get them to listen.

We didn't have lockdowns and you don't seem to understand what a lockdown is. Yes, I've spent many years dealing with mental health issues with kids/teens, far more than you probably have. There are options. A lot of providers have moved online/virtual and parents refuse that options.

Real problem is most parents don't recognize the signs, wait till its too late, aren't willing to make lifestyle changes, etc. You can get a great therapist and medication but it's not often as simple as that. You need to change your homelife, your behavior as a parent, possibly the school and other things.

These things happened long before covid. It's just not something people spoke about prior to covid. That's the difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I don't really understand what people seek to gain from continuing to harp on this. I'd much rather put time and energy into mental health funding.

Yes, lockdown sucked. Yes, I wanted my kids back in school and I advocated for that. No, I am not going to spend the rest of our lives being upset about decisions that were made during a once in a century pandemic.

If we are lucky, we won't live through anything worse. If we are unlucky, COVID will look like a cakewalk and at least we will understand what a lockdown means.

What do you mean by mental health funding? How would that funding be used? It is nearly impossible to get into a children's therapist in NoVa these days, let alone a psychiatrist. There just aren't enough trained people to meet the needs of families in crisis these days. Short of opening up a lot more spaces in Universities and medical schools - and funding would not help that - what can be done with more funding?

There are lots of virtual options. It’s not impossible.

For most people Covid was not big deal. Most kids have been back in school for two years, many never had virtual. Kids have always had mental health issues. Many parents check out when kids hit middle school. That could be a be a big factor along with genetics.

How old were your kids during the pandemic?

Middle/high school and they have actually been in virtual school for three years now.

So you’re clearly not one to speak for typical situations and kids.

And you are?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I don't really understand what people seek to gain from continuing to harp on this. I'd much rather put time and energy into mental health funding.

Yes, lockdown sucked. Yes, I wanted my kids back in school and I advocated for that. No, I am not going to spend the rest of our lives being upset about decisions that were made during a once in a century pandemic.

If we are lucky, we won't live through anything worse. If we are unlucky, COVID will look like a cakewalk and at least we will understand what a lockdown means.

What do you mean by mental health funding? How would that funding be used? It is nearly impossible to get into a children's therapist in NoVa these days, let alone a psychiatrist. There just aren't enough trained people to meet the needs of families in crisis these days. Short of opening up a lot more spaces in Universities and medical schools - and funding would not help that - what can be done with more funding?

There are lots of virtual options. It’s not impossible.

For most people Covid was not big deal. Most kids have been back in school for two years, many never had virtual. Kids have always had mental health issues. Many parents check out when kids hit middle school. That could be a be a big factor along with genetics.

How old were your kids during the pandemic?

Middle/high school and they have actually been in virtual school for three years now.

So you’re clearly not one to speak for typical situations and kids.

Clearly you have no idea what you are talking about. You'd rather hide behind a screen and complain and expect others to handle it for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That chart makes it appear the suicide rate was rising year over year even before COVID.

Yep, from about 2012, coinciding with the rise in social media.

Agree. It’s social media.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And what does mental health funding mean? There aren’t enough care providers to support the mental health issues in this country. What are you planning to fund that will have immediate impact?

There are lots of options. Maybe not great ones but there are options. Most parents don’t want to deal with it except the rare few.

Do you speak from experience? You've had a suicidal kid that you were able to get help for - maybe not "great" help, but help. The parents who are in the trenches dealing with the fallout are like canaries in a coal mine. We know there is a huge problem and that help is not really available unless we can pay out of pocket and even then it is very difficult to access effect resources to help our children.

People who think Covid "lock downs" didn't impact a generation of youth are kidding themselves. But I guess we will have to wait 10 years for the longitudinal studies to get them to listen.

We didn't have lockdowns and you don't seem to understand what a lockdown is. Yes, I've spent many years dealing with mental health issues with kids/teens, far more than you probably have. There are options. A lot of providers have moved online/virtual and parents refuse that options.

Real problem is most parents don't recognize the signs, wait till its too late, aren't willing to make lifestyle changes, etc. You can get a great therapist and medication but it's not often as simple as that. You need to change your homelife, your behavior as a parent, possibly the school and other things.

These things happened long before covid. It's just not something people spoke about prior to covid. That's the difference.

Obviously mental health issues were an issue long before Covid. Here's how Covid made it harder: therapists are jammed and have long waitlists. When you can get an appointment during the pandemic, it was always virtual. Some kids do well with virtual, some don't. Can be difficult to establish relationship with therapist when you start out virtually, if, say you're a twelve-year-old. During the pandemic, IOPs and PHPs went from being on site, multi-layered programs to being virtual programs that lasted an hour or two. So your struggling kid is sitting in bed on a screen instead of being in a therapeutic environment. Next, try to find an in-network Psych who sees kids. See how long their wait lists are.

I think you are belittling parents who generally do the best they can given their experience levels and resources. It sounds like you are now a pro at dealing with mental health issues for kids. I'm not arguing that this stuff wasn't around before 2020, but I'm saying there's more of it and it is now even harder for parents to find help. And that IS a result of Covid not-actual-lockdowns.