WTOV 9 Reports:

Quick Summary

The United States Preventative Services Task Force is now recommending that children aged 8 years old and older start getting tested for anxiety.

Key Points

  • Health officials are pointing the finger at the pandemic.
  • The general stress of the pandemic, not being in their learning environment, not interacting with their friends, limited social options all led to increases in mental health concerns for children.
  • Anxiety can present itself differently in children.

The article states:

Health officials are recommending children ages 8 and up get screened for anxiety. A pediatric journal revealed in 2020 nearly 6 million kids in the United States were diagnosed with anxiety. Some health officials are saying this is a problem that already existed, but with the combination of isolation plus other mental health issues, the pandemic put a spotlight on its severity.

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