MILWAUKEE— A new CDC study out this week on the mental well being of high school students across the country provided a troubling look at the toll the COVID-19 pandemic has had on teenagers, and showed that 20% had strongly considered suicide over the past 2 years.

"A lot of it makes sense when you look back at the past 2 years, there's been so much change that's happened," Dr. Amanda Heins, a licensed clinical psychologist with Rogers Behavioral Health said. "Having abrupt shifts in what school looks like, my day-to-day interactions with my peers, even witnessing how my parents or loved ones are coping with the ripple effects of COVID... It is harder for some of those kids to jump back into their [new] routine."

The results of that new study, including the fact that roughly 33% of high school students have dealt with stress, anxiety and depression since the pandemic began, could serve as a reminder to parents to be especially attentive to their children now, even as the worst of the pandemic appears to be behind us.

"Parents know their kids extremely well," Dr. Heins added, "so any abrupt change in their behavior... Those would be warning signs that a 'check-in' would be important to have."

You can watch the entire interview above.