Impact of School Closures on Children’s Mental Health During the Pandemic

It’s not surprising that children’s mental health deteriorated while they were confined at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a recent study has shown.

Researchers analyzed medical claims data from a major private health insurance provider in California. They discovered that school closures were linked to increased treatment costs for depression and anxiety among children aged 5 to 18. Interestingly, during the peak of the pandemic, 2.8% of children sought professional help for mental health issues. However, after schools reopened, there was a remarkable 43% decrease in children needing mental health treatment.

The study highlighted that young girls, in particular, felt the brunt of the pandemic’s impact.

“School closures during this time disrupted access to education, social interactions, and mental health resources, raising potential long-term concerns for children’s wellbeing,” the study noted. It also emphasized that “in-person learning plays a crucial role in children’s mental health.”

As reported by a major publication, prescriptions for mental health and related expenses started to diminish about four months after schools were back in session, with a more significant decline observed after six months. Specifically, spending on medication for issues like depression dropped by 7.5%, while expenses for therapy and similar treatments saw a 10.6% decrease.

For much of the pandemic, discussing the negative effects of prolonged school closures was not openly embraced, either socially or professionally. One of the study’s co-authors expressed their disappointment over the lack of conversation on this topic, noting that discussions often became politically charged.

“I really wish we had this evidence earlier to guide our discussions at the start of the pandemic,” remarked Dr. Rita Hamad, a social epidemiologist at Harvard University. “Had we realized that the benefits of keeping schools closed outweighed the risks, our decisions might have differed.”

She also expressed hope that these findings will guide future policy decisions.

Yet, there are differing opinions about the connections drawn in the study. Economist Benjamin Hansen posited that the drop in mental health consultations might correlate more with the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines.

“There are delays and you wonder what other factors might be influencing this,” he mentioned, adding that with the vaccines available, concerns about severe health risks had diminished.

The academic fallout from the pandemic among students is already extensively documented. By 2024, it’s projected that less than one-third of fourth- and eighth-graders will be able to read proficiently, and most students won’t meet basic math standards.