Child mental health worsened significantly after school closures during the pandemic

Change in the share of children for whom caregivers reported the following characteristics, before and after in-person learning was suspended:

Negative metrics

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

45.0%

50.0%

55.0%

60.0%

65.0%

Lonely

+28.3%

Agitated or angry

+19.7%

Stressed

+12.7%

Anxious

+10.7%

Depressed or low mood

+10.6%

Self-harm or thoughts of suicide

+0.1%

Before|

After|

Positive metrics

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

45.0%

50.0%

55.0%

60.0%

65.0%

Talks about plans for the future

−13.4%

Interacted positively with siblings or family

−13.6%

Relaxed

−15.5%

Hopeful or positive

−19.7%

Had positive social or peer relationships

−30.9%