Children’s Emotional Wellbeing Impacted by COVID
According to an article posted on WBEZ Chicago, remote learning has significantly impacted the mental health of our youth. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, the CDC has seen an increase of 31% in mental-health related doctor visits for youth ages 12 to 17 compared to 2019. Additionally, there has been an increase in child ER visits for mental health crisis. Other risks that are being associated with remote learning include younger children regressing (i.e. losing toilet training), significate weight gain, and lower rate of early detection from school workers for students that are struggling (An, 2021). So what do you do when you notice that your children are struggling mentally and academically? How can you afford the services that your children may need when your family has been impacted by COVID-19 though loss of income?
This is where the Illinois Masonic Children’s Assistance Program (IMCAP) can help. We offer programs that can assist with counseling co-pays, medication co-pays, tutoring, laptops for students in remote learning, fees for online enrichment opportunities, etc. IMCAP is committed to providing opportunities for children and young adults to reach their fullest potential.
If you know of a family that is needing assistance during COVID-19, please reach out to IMCAP through email imcap@ilmason.org or phone (217) 529-8900 ext 222.