Expert explains mental health impact of mask debate on kids and how to handle it

ARLINGTON, Va. (7News) — Starting Monday, per Governor Glenn Youngkin’s orders, masks in Virginia schools are optional.

It’s a tense discussion between adults, and it might spill over into the classroom amongst kids.

7News’ Adrianna Hopkins spoke with a mental health professional who has tips for parents about how to handle this.

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Dr. Warren Ng, President of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, says kids are already struggling in this pandemic with mental health issues, and the last thing they need is to feel bad about masks at school.

The rates of anxiety, depression and isolation have skyrocketed in young children.

One-in-five children and adolescents have behavioral, emotional or mental health issues and less than a fifth are receiving any services. About 50% of adult mental health conditions start before the age of 14. Meaning, the key to addressing mental health issues when you’re older, is to diagnose them when you’re young. That’s hard to do when providers are limited and mental health is cloaked in shame.

Ng says it takes a collaboration of caregivers, families, teachers, coaches, counselor, faith-based communities and mental health providers to demystify stigma and work with kids, especially kids of color.

“Any mental health professional, and anyone who cares about mental health, needs to represent the communities they’re serving," Ng said. "That means creating pipelines and pathways and entry points to support more diverse people providing the help. It means embracing and engaging the discussion of how we are not being inclusive and respectful when we’re talking about these issues.”

Pre-pandemic you may not have been on a waitlist to see a mental health provider. Amid the pandemic, they’re now in short supply, as many people are struggling to cope.

Ng says parents can bridge the gap until an appointment to see a mental health professional becomes available. He says first, check in with yourself. Then check the environment at home. Next, research mental health issues, signs and symptoms. Lastly, watch your language when checking in with your kids.

“Be open to being curious and be open to maybe things aren’t going well. You don’t ask the question, ‘you’re doing ok, right?’ As opposed to, ‘I’ve noticed things haven’t been the same, can you tell me what’s going on?’” Ng explained. “Ask an open ended question so you don’t get the ‘yes, no, ok, fine,’ response. "

He also says this isn’t a one-time conversation. He says kids may shut you down, but you have to keep pressing them ... nicely.

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“What’s really important to convey to kids is – a lot of people are confused, don’t understand, don’t have the information you might have,” Ng said. “I usually bring it up to examples that might be meaningful to kids – like seatbelts or wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle. What they’re doing is taking care of themselves.”

He also shared the following tips:

• Check-in with yourself: It’s like being on a plane and putting the oxygen mask on first, then helping your child
• Check the environment at home: Is it stressful or calm?
• Research mental health issues, signs and symptoms
• Watch your language when checking in with your kids