Psycho-Emotional Health of Students During the Covid-19 Pandemic. The Role of the School in Identifying Students at Risk

Since the identifi cation and recognition of the disease by the WHO, the public health emergency represented by COVID-19 has escalated and threatened the well-being of societies globally. Schools, which play a key role in the individual and collective well-being of students, face unprecedented challenges in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic itself caused a great deal of concern, stress and pain, factors that can cause psycho-emotional health problems for anyone and can cause acute symptoms in people with pre-existing mental health problems. This emergency context has forced the relocation of hours in online format to support students' educational needs, adding stressful situations and additional challenges. An established method for identifying students who may have anxiety or depression is the systematic screening of the school population. It is important for the school to have an action plan once students are identifi ed as at risk of emotional distress, in order to connect them to effective support services. Teachers, along with school psychologists and physicians, should devote time to promote mental health, reduce students' worries, and alleviate depression and anxiety. It is recommended that schools develop and promote online intervention packages to support students in managing stress, anxiety and depression related to home quarantine and the academic requirements of online education. Increased attention should be paid to students with pre-existing mental health disorders.