This experience was far diffferent than I originally expected. During this time, I interviewed numerous high school students and their families about their experiences and academic changes that resulted from at-home learning and quarantines. Unfortunately,most of the information and experiences gained during this time are very personal and potentially identifiable to the students involved. Broadly speaking, the rates of child abuse, food insecurity, suicide attempts, and new onset mental health conditions have skyrocketed over the past year and a half and to such an extent that the downstream effects are honestly horrifying. This experience did create a fairly dramatic shift in my career plans as an educator and has resulted in a path towards mental health counseling for students and a strong inclination to work towards decreasing abuse in the home. As many of us return to academic settings, it is vital to realize that the students who experienced this unique time will likely be dealing with trauma at levels that we have not witnessed in gererations. If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicide or other mental health conditions please consider calling or visiting one of the following contacts.
National Suicide Hotline / 800-273-8255
Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation / 513- 281-2273
NAMI Southwest Ohio
Talbert House / 513 - 281 - 2273
Mobile Crisis Team at University Hospital / 513-584-5098
Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) / 513-584-8577
Psychiatric Intake Response Center - Cincinnati Childrens / 513-636-4124
To Write Love On Her Arms / 513-281--2273