Social workers, WASD district talk mental health needs of students
As schools return to all in-person learning after two years of dealing with pandemic mitigation efforts, what is emerging is the loss not only in terms of academic skills that students are experiencing but also a loss of the ability to connect on a social and emotional level. “Mental health needs were on the rise prior to the pandemic, but the pandemic really exacerbated more,” said Heather Way, social worker in the Williamsport Area School District. Although they do not diagnose, the counselors do refer and they have seen an increase in the need for referrals. “We see that ...