Pulaski Academy High School hosting program to help and support students who have struggles caused by the pandemic measures

Little Rock, Arkansas – When the pandemic first hit early in 2020, school closures and lockdowns were among the first pandemic measures that were widely implemented in the effort to slow down the spread of the virus and lower the risk of new Covid-19 infections. Despite the fact that these measures were providing immediate results in battling the virus, numerous health experts and psychologists were urging that the measures would come at a cost later.

Nearly three years into the pandemic, many people, including small children and students, are experiencing difficulties in life, mostly caused by the pandemic measures. A recent report shows that students now struggle with grades, experience psychological problems, and are having difficulties since returning to the classroom full-time.

School closures and lockdowns are not the only problems that led to such scenarios. Experts agree that even since the schools reopened, wearing face masks all the time and frequent students, teachers, and staff absences due to the virus have additionally fueled the problem. This has prompted hundreds of schools nationwide to start programs so they can provide help and support to struggling students to get back on track as soon as possible.

The head of the social science department at Pulaski Academy High School, Bill Topich, is in charge of a program called “community class,” which was created to assist the students who struggle with stress and mental health issues caused by the pandemic.

According to Topich, everyone is invited to join the program that runs every day from Monday to Thursday. Topich believes that the program provides a safe environment for students where they can be assisted to overcome stress and mental health problems, while learning new skills in life. The sessions are usually 20-25 minutes long.

Schools across the country are running similar programs because many children are struggling with stress and showing signs of mental health issues caused by the pandemic. Those who run such projects believe that more programs should be implemented because the number of children who need assistance is growing every day.

Pandemic lockdowns negatively impacted everyone, but they especially impacted young children and adolescents in various ways during crucial developmental phases. Many experts believe that it’s still too early to draw any conclusions and that the situation can be better evaluated in the years to come.