Think Out Loud

Child psychiatrist on the mental health impacts of the transition back to classrooms

By Julie Sabatier (OPB)
March 23, 2021 11:19 p.m. Updated: March 24, 2021 8:59 p.m.

Broadcast: Wednesday, March 24

An adult wearing a mask stands in an empty classroom where tape on the floor marks off distances between student desks.

In this classroom in Richmond Elementary, desks are socially distanced with tape to outline student spaces and boundaries.

Courtesy of Salem-Keizer School District

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When Oregon schools shut down in March 2020, no one knew that it would be more than a year before students began returning to their classrooms. Now that that transition is imminent for many students around the state, we talk with Ajit Jetmalani about the mental health impacts on kids and families. Jetmalani is a professor and director of the division of child and adolescent psychiatry at the OHSU School of Medicine.

Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, there is help available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.

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