Mental Health Focus: The Pandemic Impact on Our Youth

Many healthcare providers have been studying and sharing their concerns on the mental health impact of the pandemic on the culture. One of the focal points is how children and adolescents are responding to the challenges. The news is troubling.

“Mental health challenges in children, adolescents, and young adults are real and widespread. Even before the pandemic, an alarming number of young people struggled with feelings of helplessness, depression, and thoughts of suicide — and rates have increased over the past decade.” said Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, in issuing a new Surgeon General’s Advisory highlighting an urgent need to address the nation’s youth mental health crisis.

Dr. Eric Arzubi, child and adolescent psychiatrist, and co-founder of Frontier Psychiatry, based in Montana, will lead a discussion to help define the problem and look toward helpful solutions. Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Micah Hill will be among the guests.