Kept home during the early days of the COVID pandemic for their safety, kids are facing a new need.
Trends show that kids are trying to make up social and emotional shortcomings fueled by isolation during lockdown.
In its 2021 State of Mental Health in America report, Mental Health America noted that youth between the ages of 11 and 17 were more likely than any other age group to experience moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety and depression. More locally, child abuse calls in Arizona are up 10% compared to this time last year, according to the Arizona Department of Child Safety. The agency reported more than 22,000 cases of child abuse and neglect from January to June 2021, resulting in over 14,000 placements into out-of-home care.
