The Erie Times-News/GoErie.com sponsored an ErieNext forum entitled “What’s Troubling Our Kids” at McDowell High School Tuesday evening.
Six panelists from the world of education and mental health were interviewed by Pat Howard and Lisa Thompson of the newspaper about the trends and data indicating a rise in children of school age and younger experiencing anxiety, stress, and episodes of acting out in the classroom.
The causes raised by the panel included the breakdown of the family, increased use of technology and electronics, and economic inequities. Remedies cited included improving professional development for teachers, additional school counselors, and educating families about available resources and support from local mental and behavioral health agencies.
