Read on Twitter
Thread vs. mandatory filling of school buildings and the #mentalhealth myth:
1/ One thing all brits can agree on: we all want to *believe* schools are safe. Some people are more comfortable in believing without reason. But what of #mentalhealth? https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-mental-illness-idUKKBN27P34P
1/ One thing all brits can agree on: we all want to *believe* schools are safe. Some people are more comfortable in believing without reason. But what of #mentalhealth? https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-mental-illness-idUKKBN27P34P
2/ Advocates of ‘mandatory return’ overlook a fact learned in March 2020, that controlling the virus *requires* physical distancing. Not even ‘fringe-science’ can create a smokescreen on this.
3/ Some of the highest population densities on earth (children elbow-to-elbow) are found in UK schools. This is a tragedy in action. Being forced to sit next to symptomatic others -without option to move- is seriously damaging for the #mentalhealth of children and parents.
4/ The tension created by such an authoritarian and unreasonable approach is also bad for headteachers: creating administrative burden, friction, and distraction from learning and health, with many headteachers having considered changing occupation since full reopening
5/ Mainstream media has adopted the early narrative that some deprived children in society suffered when at home. This is true, but it is wrong to assume all children share circumstances: many children were happier during lockdown than return.
6/ Messaging clash 1: March-August (messaging=precautionary) vs. now (=caution to wind).
Parenting wisdom is *consistency of messaging* is VITAL for wellbeing. Schools breach trust when telling more careful children “not to worry”: from symptom awareness to belittling masks.
Parenting wisdom is *consistency of messaging* is VITAL for wellbeing. Schools breach trust when telling more careful children “not to worry”: from symptom awareness to belittling masks.
7/ Messaging Clash 2: created between school and parents.
Parents and psychologists agree that inconsistencies can lead to behavioural issues which will affect learning, development, and mental health (possibly indefinitely).
Parents and psychologists agree that inconsistencies can lead to behavioural issues which will affect learning, development, and mental health (possibly indefinitely).
8/ Gaslighting of parents has become commonplace in letters from headteachers: discounting credible scientific arguments in favour of phrases like “schools are safe”. This strain on mental health of parents has affected the home-lives of many, and therefore also their children.
9/ Direct #mentalhealth impacts. The article cited above (1) claims 20% covid cases are diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder within 90 days. Therefore, if 3 people in 1 household catch coronavirus there is a greater chance of mental disorder developing in that home than not.
10/ Negative #mentalhealth impacts in case of parental death or suffering: Child feelings of guilt, or anger at the school which failed that child may be absolute. This outweighs any questionable benefit to #mentalhealth from being in an unsafe school during a pandemic.
11/ Summary: #mentalhealth is individual. A rigid authoritarian approach that overrules parental instinct is certain to achieve one thing: #mentalhealth issues.
That some ppl favour compulsory return without safety measures is more telling of their own state than others.
That some ppl favour compulsory return without safety measures is more telling of their own state than others.
