ORLANDO, Fla. — With students back in class, there’s a renewed focus on their mental health.

The mental health of students has been affected by the violence that erupted at schools last year.

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Channel 9 spoke with a child psychologist about what parents and schools can do to intervene.

“Kids are still struggling with mental health,” said child psychologist Jim West.

West works with children in Orlando and said the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on kids.

Social distancing made them feel afraid and alone.

“I still feel like there’s a lot of pent-up anger and frustration and depression,” West said.

West said it’s why we saw a series of violent outbursts on local school campuses last year.

“I really think we are going to see more, more fights,” West said.

West said that this will persist until the community treats the root of the problem: cyberbullying.

Watch more in the video above.

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Child psychologist reminds parents to focus on kids’ mental health with return to school