This phenomenological study highlighted the perceived mental health effects on school-age children and adolescents because of the COVI-19 pandemic. The people directly impacted by this problem were the students, with parents and educators being indirectly impacted. The study examined the perceptions of teachers who witnessed perceived mental health issues in their students. The guiding theoretical framework used for this dissertation included the social psychological theories for loneliness and interdependence. The sample of participants included elementary, middle and high school teachers who met the requirements for the study. Each teacher selected participated in an interview, which the researcher transcribed and coded using the phenomenological approach. The shared experiences from the teachers were to assist parents, educators and mental health counselors to understand the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on students. The results in relation to the research questions showed that there were perceived prevalent mental health issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and loss of in- person learning. Future practice should include schools and communities that develop school programs, family support programs and a system to identify students who are still suffering mental health issues from the pandemic.