PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Hurricanes Helene and Milton have left an everlasting impact on Tampa Bay—people’s homes, businesses and our beaches.
The storms have also greatly affected mental health, including for kids.
“Many of our children have been through significant transitions and disruptions during these two hurricanes back to back,” said Dr. Jennifer Katzenstein, Co-Director of The Center for Behavioral Health at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.
She believes because there have been disruptions with school, and many kids have potentially been displaced from their homes, that it’s very likely they could be dealing with heightened anxiety right now.
“There has been a significant disruption to routines for our families and for our kids,” said Katzenstein.
For younger kids, that anxiety could look like changes in appetite, changes in toileting, and separation anxiety.
“Or more anxiety or stress when the wind blows, or there’s rain, or they’re starting to see …