Children’s Hospitals Grapple With Wave of Mental Illness

Social distancing directly interferes with the social connection at the heart of many therapies

Krissy Williams, pictured with her brother, lives with schizophrenia. The disruption to her school and health services caused by COVID-19 worsened her mental health. In October, she tried to take her own life. Patricia Williams

Krissy Williams, 15, had attempted suicide before, but never with pills.

The teen was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was 9. People with this chronic mental health condition perceive reality differently and often experience hallucinations and delusions. She learned to manage these symptoms with a variety of services offered at home and at school.