17 min

COVID-19 Special Edition: Mental Health Vital Signs The Brain Architects

    • Life Sciences

The devastating toll of the pandemic has underscored the critical importance of connecting what science is telling us to the lived experiences of people and communities. In March of 2020, we recorded episodes exploring the impact the coronavirus pandemic could have on child development. Now, a year later, we wanted to continue these conversations and discuss what we've learned, what needs to change, and where we go from here.





Contents

Podcast

Speakers

Additional Resources

Transcript





In the final episode in this special series, host Sally Pfitzer speaks with Dr. Nancy Rotter, a pediatric psychologist and the Director of Psychology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ambulatory Care Division at Massachusetts General Hospital. They discuss how the pandemic changed conversations around mental health, why we need to integrate mental health into the context of overall health, and what caregivers can do to help children prepare for the lessening of restrictions and the return to school.



Subscribe below via your podcast platform of choice to receive all new episodes as soon as they’re released.









Speakers





Sally Pfitzer, Podcast Host



Dr. Nancy Rotter, Pediatric Psychologist and Director of Psychology, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ambulatory Care Division at Massachusetts General Hospital; Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School









Additional Resources

Resources from the Center on the Developing Child







The Brain Architects Podcast: COVID-19 Special Edition: Mental Health in a Locked-Down World

Q&A: The Coronavirus Pandemic: Mental Health One Year Later

Re-Envisioning, Not Just Rebuilding: Looking Ahead to a Post-COVID-19 World

Working Paper 15: Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body: Early Childhood Development and Lifelong Health Are Deeply Intertwined

InBrief: Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body

A Guide to COVID-19 and Early Childhood Development Resources







Resources recommended by Dr. Nancy Rotter







Interim Guidance on Supporting the Emotional and Behavioral Health Needs of Children, Adolescents and Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mothers—and fathers—report mental, physical health declines

Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Update

Depression and anxiety in pregnancy during COVID-19: A rapid review and meta-analysis

COVID-19's Disproportionate Effects on Children of Color Will Challenge the Next Generation

A Guide to Mental Health Resources for COVID-19

How to Talk to Your Children About the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Preparing Children for When Their Parents Return to Work

National Alliance on Mental Health: Mental Health By the Numbers







Transcript

Sally: Welcome to The Brain Architects, a podcast from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. I'm your host Sally Pfitzer. In March of 2020, we recorded episodes exploring the impact the coronavirus pandemic could have on child development. You may remember we discussed the importance of self-care for caregivers, and the importance of physical distancing, not social distancing.  And now a year later, we wanted to continue those conversations and discuss what we've learned, what needs to change, and where we go from here.



Joining us on today's podcast, we have Dr. Nancy Rotter. She's a pediatric psychologist and the Director of Psychology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ambulatory Care Division, at Mass General Hospital. Thanks so much for being with us today, Nancy.



Dr. Rotter: Thanks for having me, Sally.



Sally: So,

The devastating toll of the pandemic has underscored the critical importance of connecting what science is telling us to the lived experiences of people and communities. In March of 2020, we recorded episodes exploring the impact the coronavirus pandemic could have on child development. Now, a year later, we wanted to continue these conversations and discuss what we've learned, what needs to change, and where we go from here.





Contents

Podcast

Speakers

Additional Resources

Transcript





In the final episode in this special series, host Sally Pfitzer speaks with Dr. Nancy Rotter, a pediatric psychologist and the Director of Psychology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ambulatory Care Division at Massachusetts General Hospital. They discuss how the pandemic changed conversations around mental health, why we need to integrate mental health into the context of overall health, and what caregivers can do to help children prepare for the lessening of restrictions and the return to school.



Subscribe below via your podcast platform of choice to receive all new episodes as soon as they’re released.









Speakers





Sally Pfitzer, Podcast Host



Dr. Nancy Rotter, Pediatric Psychologist and Director of Psychology, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ambulatory Care Division at Massachusetts General Hospital; Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School









Additional Resources

Resources from the Center on the Developing Child







The Brain Architects Podcast: COVID-19 Special Edition: Mental Health in a Locked-Down World

Q&A: The Coronavirus Pandemic: Mental Health One Year Later

Re-Envisioning, Not Just Rebuilding: Looking Ahead to a Post-COVID-19 World

Working Paper 15: Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body: Early Childhood Development and Lifelong Health Are Deeply Intertwined

InBrief: Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body

A Guide to COVID-19 and Early Childhood Development Resources







Resources recommended by Dr. Nancy Rotter







Interim Guidance on Supporting the Emotional and Behavioral Health Needs of Children, Adolescents and Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mothers—and fathers—report mental, physical health declines

Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Update

Depression and anxiety in pregnancy during COVID-19: A rapid review and meta-analysis

COVID-19's Disproportionate Effects on Children of Color Will Challenge the Next Generation

A Guide to Mental Health Resources for COVID-19

How to Talk to Your Children About the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Preparing Children for When Their Parents Return to Work

National Alliance on Mental Health: Mental Health By the Numbers







Transcript

Sally: Welcome to The Brain Architects, a podcast from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. I'm your host Sally Pfitzer. In March of 2020, we recorded episodes exploring the impact the coronavirus pandemic could have on child development. You may remember we discussed the importance of self-care for caregivers, and the importance of physical distancing, not social distancing.  And now a year later, we wanted to continue those conversations and discuss what we've learned, what needs to change, and where we go from here.



Joining us on today's podcast, we have Dr. Nancy Rotter. She's a pediatric psychologist and the Director of Psychology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ambulatory Care Division, at Mass General Hospital. Thanks so much for being with us today, Nancy.



Dr. Rotter: Thanks for having me, Sally.



Sally: So,

17 min