COVID-19 Special Edition: Mental Health Vital Signs - a podcast by Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University

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.


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TranscriptIn 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.

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Sally Pfitzer, Podcast HostDr. 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 ResourcesResources from the Center on the Developing ChildThe 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 WorldWorking 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 BodyA Guide to COVID-19 and Early Childhood Development Resources



Resources recommended by Dr. Nancy RotterInterim Guidance on Supporting the Emotional and Behavioral Health Needs of Children, Adolescents and Families During the COVID-19 PandemicMothers—and fathers—report mental, physical health declines
Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic: An UpdateDepression 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-19How to Talk to Your Children About the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Preparing Children for When Their Parents Return to WorkNational Alliance on Mental Health: Mental Health By the Numbers



TranscriptSally: 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 pandemic has made conversations about mental health more common and perhaps even less stigmatized. How do we make sure that this perspective and these conversations continue even as vaccines become available and restrictions are lessened?

Dr. Rotter: You know, I agree that there has been some shifting over time in terms of awareness and acknowledgement about mental health and specifically...

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