PHOENIX — Spending more time at home can not only impact your mental health, but your child's as well.
Joronda Montano, Chief Program Officer with the non-profit notMYkid, says less face-to-face interaction with friends or teachers can lead to boredom and additional screen time can lead to fatigue.
She says to keep kids motivated, have a schedule, check on your kids regularly, and remember to take technology breaks.
"Being in a classroom is very different when you're with people all day as opposed to online, sitting in a chair all day," Montano said. "Make sure you're getting outside, getting some sunshine."
She says they've also shifted all of their resources online. She says parents can take part in one-on-one support through video chat and teens can join a "teen talk" support group right from their living room.
"Although we all won't be physically ill, not everyone will get physical illness, we all will have this mental health impact," Montano said. "It's really important we take care of our mental health. If you are someone who was struggling before, make sure you are doing what you can to get to that additional help, because it can seem daunting if you were already dealing with something prior to this situation."
Parents can also text the word "Question" to 602-584-8474 and a live staff member will reply.
For more information, go to notmykid.org.
