## Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic forced a radical shift in daily life for families in the United States. At the beginning of 2020, nearly all public schools had closed their doors to prevent the spread of the disease. Children were transferred to online learning formats that profoundly altered their educational and social routines. Health experts expressed immediate concerns about the long-term effects of this isolation on children. ## The New Study A group of researchers published a new study analyzing the impact of school reopenings on children's mental health. The analysis of medical performance in California showed that reopened schools have slowed down the increase in diagnoses of mental disorders and healthcare costs. ## How the Study Was Conducted The study's analysis is based on a quasi-experimental approach that compares the performance of children who returned to school with those who did not. The research team used a large database of medical data to compare the results of children who continued to attend school with those who were forced to stay home. ## Results The results of the new study show that returning to in-person schools had a positive impact on children's mental health. The analysis of medical performance showed a 1.2% decrease in the probability of receiving a diagnosis of a mental disorder after schools reopened. ## Conclusions The new study reveals that returning to in-person schools is not only an academic aspect but also a fundamental healthcare intervention. The research team emphasized that reopened schools have slowed down the increase in diagnoses of mental disorders and healthcare costs. ## Limitations of the Study However, the new study is not without limitations. The database used for analysis was from a commercial insurance company, which means it represents children from more affluent families compared to the average. ## Impact on the Community The new study highlights the importance of reopened schools in slowing down the increase in diagnoses of mental disorders and healthcare costs. However, it's essential to consider the limitations of the study and emphasize the need for future research that focuses on more vulnerable populations.