Teens, Tweens & Quarantines

COVID-19 has had an incredibly destructive impact for almost everyone, but teens, tweens, and young adults have experienced stress like never before as events and activities that are very important to them have been postponed or cancelled. Tweens are missing moving up to middle school ceremonies, field trips, and the cancelation of youth sports activities. Teens are mourning the loss of their prom, spring sports season, the last play or musical performance, and especially high school senior week and graduation. Young adults are facing cancellations of their college graduations, loss of internships, and an uncertain job market.

As we celebrate Mental Health Month during May, it is important to acknowledge the stress that young people may be experiencing. The disappointment and loss that they are struggling to put into perspective continues with social distancing and a life that is very different from anything they (or any of us) have experienced before.

It is important that our children know they are not alone. Young people need to be able to talk about their feelings with someone they trust, be it a parent, teacher, friend, coach or counselor. That person needs to offer to listen, acknowledge that their emotions are valid, , and if nothing else just be available. And remember, A Healthy Lynnfield is here to help.

We felt it was important to collaborate with the Lynnfield Public Schools and offer a program for parents and caregivers during this time focused on the impact of COVID-19 on our children. We chose Minding Your Mind, whose primary objective is to provide mental health education to adolescents, teens and young adults, their parents and caregivers, teachers and school administrators, to present “Teens, Tweens & Quarantines.” This virtual forum features Jon Mattleman, an experienced therapist, presenter, and father of two, is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.

"The Coronavirus is demanding that we be attentive to our physical health, and rightly so,” said Jon Mattleman. “At the same time it is becoming clear that we must to devote attention to our mental health; as there can be no doubt that challenges such as anxiety and depression are accompanying this pandemic and the resulting quarantining. Teens and tweens are highly reactive to the world in general, and the Coronavirus has resulted in significant losses that parents must acknowledge and address...all in an effort to diminish the burden of their trauma now and in the future."

In a dynamic fashion, this talk will address the teen/tween brain, explain why this pandemic is so difficult for this age group, survey the process of loss, discuss issues related to independence, autonomy, and privacy, and offer perspectives and suggestions that parents and caregivers can implement immediately. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and get concrete answers for practical steps they can take in real time from Mattleman, Kathi Moody, Director of Guidance at Lynnfield High School, and Lydia Rundell-Gjerde, District Special Education Coordinator and Team Chair for Lynnfield Middle School/Summer Street Elementary School/Lynnfield Preschool

To register for this presentation that will be conducted using Zoom, go to News and Events section at www.ahealthylynnfield.org . Questions can be emailed to Peg Sallade at salladem@lynnfield.k12.ma.us.