Horry Co. counselor talks COVID impacts on mental health of children
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — Monday is World Mental Health Day.
The day raises awareness and mobilizes efforts to support mental health.
In 2020, mental health-related visits to emergency rooms jumped 31% among kids 12 to 17 years old.
ABC15 spoke to a counselor at Oceanic Counseling Group, John Falls, who said the lingering impacts of COVID may play a role in the mental health of children today.
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Falls said, "Not everyone needs therapy but everyone can benefit from it. Whether it's, 'this is happening. I can't get these thoughts out of my head,' 'I'm depressed,' 'I'm sad,' 'I'm lonely' 'I'm angry,' we all have these issues."
The pandemic caused some students to miss major milestones while being kept in their homes.
Some warning signs parents need to look out for include sleeping more than normal, more solitude and disinterest in things they used to like.
