BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Mental health professionals are noticing increased stress and anxiety in school-aged children.
“They haven’t been around peers. They haven’t been around everyday stressful events that have allowed them the time to practice those skills or develop them,” Foundations Health and Wholeness satellite office clinical director Lana Cheslock said.
Cheslock tells FOX 11 the pandemic has taken a toll on school-aged children.
“They’re not as equipped this year to identify situations that would cause drama or increased anxiety for themselves. Going to school has become much more of a difficulty for kids, that increased isolation has caused a greater sense of social anxiety of leaving the home, having to deal with peers, having to attend class.”
Cheslock says they also are seeing a much higher need for counseling.
Jerry Nicholson, the director of pupil services for the Unified School District of De Pere, says this school year has brought a new kind of stress to students and staff.
“You’re navigating teacher shortages, bus driver shortages and those types of things,
Nicholson tells FOX 11 the district’s focus is on meeting students where they’re at socially, emotionally, and academically.
“Maybe set the curriculum aside for a moment and start to focus on accelerating their skills as a learner and then using that then when we shift to curriculum to accelerate learning overall.”
Nicholson says a big part of it is listening to their community, their students, and their staff.
The Unified School District of De Pere says it has mental health professionals in half of their buildings at least one day a week, as well as additional personnel to support students and staff.
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