The Crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant on adolescent mental health. When schools closed and social distancing measures in place, many young people experienced increased feelings of isolation and anxiety.
It is important for parents, educators, and mental health professionals to provide support resources to help adolescents cope during these challenging times.
Bluebird Awards aims to support those efforts.
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Bluebirds Give Children and Teens Hope for a Better Tomorrow
The Covid-19 Aftermath:
Together we can make a difference.
Elementary and Middle School
Youth with mental health disorders are more likely to be unhappy at school, be absent, or be suspended or expelled. Their learning is negatively impacted because of poor concentration, distractibility, inability to retain information, poor peer relationships, and aggressive behavior. They also may be withdrawn and difficult to engage.
During any given school year, children and youth with mental health disorders may miss as many as 18 to 22 days.1
The rates of suspension and expulsion of children and youth with mental disorders are three times higher than their peers.2
High School
Youth in high school with mental health disorders are more likely to fail or drop out of school compared to their peers in the general population. They tend to engage in high-risk behaviors including drug and alcohol use and/or suicide attempts, especially those youth who may be significantly depressed because they are shunned or marginalized.
Up to 14 percent of youth with mental health disorders receive mostly Ds and Fs, compared to 7 percent for all children with disabilities.3
Youth with untreated mental illness have high rates of absenteeism and tardiness. Referral to a school-based mental health center or to counseling can help to reduce absenteeism rates by 50 percent and tardiness rates by 25 percent.4
Only 32 percent of students with a serious mental illness continue onto postsecondary education.7 ... Youth.gov