Channel: Lee Health

Category: Education

Tags: social connectionhome-schoolingbaker actmental healthchild advocacy program managerisolatedcovid-19isolationmore kids there for baker act than medical issuespsychiatrypandemicchildren being baker actedyoung peoplesocial workdistance learninganxietychildrenschoolpediatric intensive care unityouth advocatedepressionhospitalkids

Description: The Covid-19 Pandemic has been incredibly difficult for our kids. “I became really isolated and I realized school to me was just opening up my computer and signing on. I didn’t pay attention, I didn’t start caring about friends,” said youth advocate Damini Parkhi Child Advocacy Program Manager Richard Keelan said there was a 400% increase in Baker Acts at Golisano Children’s hospital. “It’s an incredible increase, it’s really overwhelmed our pediatric intensive care unit where we’ve had more kids there for Baker Act than medical issues.” The hospital wasn’t designed for that, but they’ve since adapted. “We’ve added resources from psychiatry seven days a week, to social work seven days a week, 12 hours a day and reworking our policy to be more current and provide better care,” said Keelan. Keelan still said he’s seen a big increase in anxiety and depression among young people. “We all need social connection just like we need to breathe and without that connection, it is really affecting this generation and I think will see the impact for this generation for a long time to come,” said Keelan. You can search for mental health resources on Leehealth.org View More Health Matters video segments at LeeHealth.org/Healthmatters Lee Health in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of health care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For more than 100 years, we’ve been providing our community with personalized preventative health services and primary care to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries. Lee Health - Caring People. Inspiring Care. Visit