Help children during Coronavirus outbreak have mental stability in New York State.

OUR CHILDREN MENTAL
HEALTH MATTERS

To
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo
Honorable New York State Speaker Carl Heastie
Majority Leader Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins

“This pandemic is really taking a toll on me and my family. we are trapped in the house in fear of catching this virus, their schools are shut down so they miss out on their education, the supermarket makes everyone wait on long lines to purchase food and a lot of the shelves are practically empty.” Anonymous parent

Over 2.5 million of our New York State school children have been left to adjust to the abrupt change of remote learning, as the novel Coronavirus progresses. While children are out of school learning remotely, they now face other issues such as social isolation, anxiety, distress, stress, trauma and other social-emotional challenges.

While we understand the necessity and agree with Governor Andrew Cuomo decision to close schools and maintain safety of all, it is also vital that our children well-being is supported in the process. Virtual mental health and social/emotional support is needed to help our children get through this uncertain time and crisis.

The coronavirus has serious impact on our children well-being; this impact is greater than we are acknowledging today. Children are now forced to adjust during a world pandemic and crisis without the physical company of those they traditionally interact with including peers, teachers, counselors, community and religious leaders. With the absence of in-classroom learning, after school programs and other social activities, parents are also grappling and struggling with these changes, creating other issues such as parent stress, parenting challenges, working from home while teaching children at home.

While medical health and safety is our priority, we cannot neglect mental health, especially the mental health of our children. That is why we are urging Governor Andrew Cuomo and our state leaders to ensure funds are set aside for over 2.5 million children in New York State to have access to virtual social and emotional support and mental health services. Without such state investment, we fear vulnerable New York children mental well-being will not be supported during a time needed the most.