The Kids Are Not Alright: Dr. Bonnie Henry weighs in

Over the last week, we’ve been hearing from parents, counsellors, a school principal, a doctor, and the BC Teachers’ Federation, who have all highlighted growing concerns affecting our students, especially the youngest ones.

They’re sounding the alarm that many children are not adjusting to being in a classroom setting full-time after increased screen time and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

There have been reports of violent disruptions in schools, high anxiety, and a lack of emotional well-being.

In the final installment of The Kids Are Not Alright, a CityNews in-depth investigation, B.C.’s provincial health officer gives us her take on what’s really happening.

More from the series: 

• Part 1: Growing concerns in B.C. elementary classrooms

• Part 2: Parents share heartbreaking stories

• Part 3: Students struggle to adjust

• Part 4: Solutions for the future

We put the concerns we’ve been hearing to Dr. Bonnie Henry.

“I find that very interesting because that’s not what I’m hearing across the board,” said Henry.

“We certainly know that there was a lot of stress on families across the board when schools were closed and that was one of the reasons why we focused so much on making sure that we could work together to keep schools safely open.”

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry talks in the press theatre at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, March 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Schools in B.C. were among those that stayed open the longest during the height of the pandemic, whereas other provinces had closed them down to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.

Henry understands everyone has experienced a lot of change, anxiety, and uncertainty over the last three years, but she insists students are adjusting.

“And some of the supports we have put in place in classrooms are really helping that and we’re seeing some improvement in, particularly, the anxiety and depression that we saw when children were out of that structured environment,” she said.

AUDIO/VIDEO/READ: Part 4 of our @CityNewsVAN investigation into what's happening in B.C. schools. Today, we seek solutions as children struggle in the classroom. Premier @Dave_Eby also weighs in. https://t.co/77kRQtVBi2 #bced

— Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) April 14, 2023

Henry says those supports include working with school districts province-wide to ensure there are mental health and emotional support teams in place.

However, parents and educators on the frontlines tell us there are simply not enough resources in place to help children who need them most. Many are saying the complete opposite of what Henry insists is happening in classrooms.

“I’m not sure who you were talking to, but there are, of course, families that are struggling. There are children that are struggling,” Henry said. “So, across the board, the important thing from the public health perspective is having that structured environment where there is a safe place for kids. We know school is much more than book learning, it’s about developing those social and emotional connections, having a place where you can talk, too.”

Another issue raised by parents CityNews has spoken with is the delay and expense of psychoeducational assessments.

“Those are challenges that I don’t have any influence over,” said Henry.

Henry says she sympathizes with those who are having a tough time right now.

“I absolutely understand that there are many children who are still having the effects of what’s been going on across the globe over the last three years and it is our job and it’s important for us to make sure we have supports … and it has not been easy.”

We asked Henry what steps parents, who do have concerns about their children, should take.

“Those are not questions that I have the answers to. I’m a public health physician but I know that the schools are working, and we’ve been working with them — the school health officers across the province — to ensure those resources are there for families and children,” Henry explained.

She’s encouraging parents to check their local health authority’s website for resources or speak to their family doctor for additional supports.

She says the problems some students are facing today existed before the pandemic started and were exacerbated by COVID-19.

“These are challenging times … and one of the things we have learned is and the data shows is children are very resilient.”

If you’d like to share your thoughts, reach out to reporters Mike Lloyd and Sonia Aslam.