Ivy Street School and Wheelock College Announce Third “Reversing Course” Panel Discussion

Please join Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Development and the Ivy Street School as we present the third in a series of conversations with leaders across the sector as we will explore the post-pandemic impact on the mental health of young people.

Join us for the conversation on February 1, 2022, at 6:00 PM.

Reversing Course: The Mental Health Crisis

In December 2021, The Surgeon General warned that young people face “devastating” mental health effects due to challenges experienced by their generation, including the coronavirus pandemic. Over 800,000 Americans have died from COVID-19, and it’s been reported that nearly 170,000 American children have lost a caregiver – either a parent or grandparent. At the same time, divorce rates are on the rise, a robust and equitable economic recovery continues to lag, and 11,980 households in Massachusetts alone claim they are very likely to be evicted soon. In addition, slow progress and heightened awareness of climate change, income inequality, racial injustice, the opioid epidemic, gun violence, and around-the-clock (social) media continue to circle the lives of young people.

Simply put, more and more youth are confronting and experiencing amplified anxiety and grief stemming from the sustained emotional, social, and economic trauma. Educators and parents are witnessing the impact. Chronic absenteeism, lagging school performance, increased physical aggression, and a 51% increase in ER visits for suicide attempts by adolescent girls is a sobering reminder of the pressure our kids are confronting and managing.

So, what’s next? We will talk to leaders across the sector to explore these questions and more.

• What do we see on the ground?
• How do we support students during this complex time?
• How are resources being deployed to address early symptoms and acute needs?
• What innovations are schools and community-based organizations delivering to meet the moment?
• What should we be aware of as we develop local and national solutions to address the crisis, support our kids, and build the infrastructure that ensures mental health is understood and supported as a critical factor in a person’s overall health.

Scheduled panelists include: