COVID-19 and the Pandemic have been harmful to people’s mental health. Young adults have had the biggest mental toll from COVID. A quarter of 18- to 24-year-olds used more than alcohol or drugs to cope with their stress, according to a study. A quarter of the age group seriously considered suicide between March and April.
Scientific American reports on more than just the mental health of youth. A report from the CDC in August found that incidences of anxiety symptoms tripled and quadrupled in a representative sample. The vulnerable people in society are more at risk during the Pandemic because they have pre-existing mental health issues.
According to those findings, young people are suffering the most from carbon dioxide. I don’t think these findings are surprising. I am aware of a lot of people who struggle with COVID. I am in that age range of 18 to 24 years old, and I experience the phenomenon of COVID as much as anyone in my age range.
They may have had more disruptions in life events such as graduations, weddings, the senior year of college and of high school. All those transitions were disrupted, as well as school and social connections, which we know are very important for young people. The psychiatrists who talked to Wallis said that the increase in depression was due to racism and slurs against Asian-Americans. I have never confronted anti-Asian racism like this in my life. Young people may have been more depressed.
According to the CDC, the mental health of young adults has been impacted. All hands are on deck for parents, caregivers, and other adults to support children and young people because they attribute these mental health concerns to the trauma faced at a young age. Changes in routines, employment, and educational challenges are some of the reasons for the trauma.
The researchers found that exposure to media coverage of the coronaviruses led to more distress. Young people are disproportionately affected by the lack of social connection and Sensationalist reports lead to more anxiety and depression. Many of the reporting these days keeps people hooked on the news cycle, and keeps people addicted to the news, according to a psychologist. Jones emphasizes the importance of keeping boundaries.
According to the CDC, young people need to address fear, stress, and behavioral changes in order to fight stress. Health concerns are a priority for young people as well, and excessive worry and sadness leads to trouble paying attention, trouble concentrating and trouble focusing on activities. Almost all of my students want to go back to the physical school building during COVID. They can’t wait to see their friends and teachers again, and are more lonely and isolated. My school is more focused on relationship-building activities and mental health than it is on adhering to a curriculum.
As we go through our days, it is important to recognize that we are all doing the best we can. Whatever we are going through is valid and normal. Young people need to stay socially connected. Staying socially connected through video chats, phone calls, and other methods is a solution.
It is important to feel your feelings and not try to resist them. According to Dr. Lisa Damour, it’s true.
