The Current State of Children's Mental Health: A Recap
Last week we sat in on a webinar hosted by Family & Childrenn's Agency. Lamond Daniels, LCSW, Chief of Community Services for the City of Norwalk moderated a panel of experts to discuss the state of children's mental health. The panel included:

  • Vannessa L. Dorantes, LMSW: Commissioner, CT Department of Children and Families
  • Margarita Munoz, MD: Medical Director, Behavioral Health, Family & Children's Agency
  • Patti Nietsch, LCSW: Clinician, Behavioral Health, Family & Children's Agency

What is making the children's mental health crisis worse? What's different now?
Dr. Munoz pointed out that there was already a children's mental health crisis prior to COVID, but it is worsening. She said that uncertainty is playing a major role. Children thrive on structure and consistency and that has been significantly impacted during the pandemic. Additionally, some are struggling with the loss of loved ones. Overall, there is a sense of fear of impending doom; meaning fear of bad things happening. Many adults are feeling this way too and children pick up on cues from caregivers.

How can families help their children?
Patti Nietsch had some suggestions for simple ways that caregivers can help children including:
  1. Create a sanctuary for kids: It can be anywhere in the home. Fill it with comfy pillows and blankets, art supplies, books, fidget toys and anything else that might help a child relax. This should be a device-free area that kids can unwind at the end of the day (or whenever they need a break).
  2. Eat dinner as a family as much as possible: Even if it's only one day a week, create a routine of sitting down and having dinner as a family and make it a device-free zone (for adults too!).
  3. Model healthy coping skills: Instead of saying "I had a bad day, I need a drink," say "I had a bad day, I need to go for a walk. Want to join?" Or maybe everyone takes 15 minutes of quiet time by themselves. Modeling substance-free coping mechanisms is important for preventing youth substance use.
  4. Get a bottle of bubbles for "bubble breathing": Breathing techniques are a good way to calm down, but young children may have difficulty focusing on their breath. Have the child take a deep breath in and focus on blowing the bubbles out. They will have fun and be practicing a breathing technique without even realizing it.

What is concerning behavior? When should caregivers seek help for a child?
Dr. Munoz said one of the reasons parents hesitate seeking help is they fear their child will be put on medication. While medication is a tool and used in some cases, it is NOT prescribed for every child and it is ALWAYS the parents' decision.

Some of the signs to watch out for include, refusing to go to school, over-the-top irritability, fighting with friends/family, extreme sadness, and frequent complaints of headaches and/or stomaches. If any warning sign/symptom lasts for a prolonged period of time (more than a week) and is interfering with their ability to get through the day, it's best to reach out to your pediatrician to discuss next steps. A pediatrician can often help families connect with mental health professionals. If the child is talking about harming themselves or others, take it seriously and get help immediately. Reach out to one of these crisis contacts.

How has technology played a role in the pandemic? What are the pros and cons?
Technology has kept the world connected throughout the pandemic, but it has also meant children and teens are spending much more time online, especially social media. We know Instagram and TikTok are causing body image and mental health issues in some teens.

The panelists stressed the importance of monitoring phones, social media accounts and internet use. Common Sense Media has a wealth of resources to help parents navigate social media, screen time, cellphones and monitoring online activity. They all agreed, technology is not bad, but like everything else, moderation is key. There have to be limits and rules.

A recording of the presentation and a resource list will be coming soon. We will share that when it becomes available. In the meantime, if you are looking for resources, be sure to download our resource and support group guides.
Visit TheHubCt.org/treatment to find a list of BIPOC mental health resources as well.
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Coping with COVID: Resources
As COVID rates spike again, we want to remind you that The Hub has a variety of mental health, recovery and general wellness resources available on our website.


With the rise in COVID cases, please check with the organization to confirm whether support group meetings ore events are in-person or virtual.
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CT Peer/Recovery Support Certification Town Halls

Join the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Office of Recovery and Community Affairs for a discussion about the Connecticut Peer/Recovery Support Certification process. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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