Valentine’s Day in Quarantine?
Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14.
It’s the day we show our love to our spouses, our boyfriends and girlfriends, our moms, and grandmothers. Some of us even buy our pets a cute gift for this special holiday.
It is also the month that we forget that our teens need to see, feel and hear how much they are loved, liked and appreciated.
Not long ago, our teens brought chocolate to school with them on or around the 14th. We shared handwritten cards with each other. We gave our favorite teachers flowers or candy for Valentine’s Day. But, with this virtual school world of 2020-2021, socialization is out the window.
What You Should Know
According to the CDC, depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide have increased throughout society at alarming rates and have affected teens the most.
Recent Statistics
Last May, The New York Times reported that most experts expect to see rates of depression and other psychological disorders increase in the coming months, as the pandemic continues. At the same time, mental health professionals concede that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish clinical depression from the COVID-19 blues.
And isn’t your teen moodier than ever?
In January, Forbes reported new and alarming statistics from a survey of American teens.
56% of teens reported that they personally knew someone who considered self-harm and suicide, but less than one-third (32%) believed their school was prepared to handle this issue, demonstrating that school leaders need to address social and emotional safety in addition to physical safety.
To add to the concern, these statistics are showing diminishing confidence and feelings of security compared to a similar Navigate360 poll from August 2020.
Only 36% of teens reported that they knew who to call or where to seek out help. Less than half (42%) believe that their school truly cares about creating an atmosphere of physical and emotional safety.
And perhaps most sadly, only 58% of teens said they felt safe at home, yet virtually all of them are being home-schooled this year.
Despite the end of the 2020 calendar year, a new President, and the availability of vaccines to the general population, there is still much fear and uncertainty among our youth.
So as a reminder to all of us—especially those who are in close social contact with teens—reach out and talk with your teen.
Ask them those important questions that we have written about so often and posted under our Blog and Resource tabs on our website. You may feel like you are asking too many questions, too much probing, too much creeping into their personal space. But consider this: the alternative to this may be heartbreak.
The best way to deal with anxiety and depression begins with a great in-depth conversation. You cannot begin to fix a problem until you know that there is a problem.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for help.
All my best,
Elliot Kallen
Founder, A Brighter Day
