Covid-19 mental health impact on students
Covid-19 mental health impacts continue to affect people across the world. Here, we will analyze the issues of mental health among college students. We will look into its effect on teenagers as well.
Most educational institutions have switched to an online delivery model to reduce Covid’s impact. Students started to stay back home. They began distancing themselves from their friends to stay away from the virus. But, it seems to have created a much higher toll on their mental health.
There is an increase in the psychological issues faced by students. Different studies and surveys show how covid affects young children, teenagers, and adolescents. The effect of the pandemic on international students is also a rising concern.
In teenagers and college students, there is an escalating fear of their future. It is paving the way for anxiety, stress, and other concerns. There has also been a moderate to a high-level increase in symptoms of depression.
Students are confronting the fear of losing loved ones, spreading, and contracting the virus. The inability to meet their friends due to physical distancing is building a gap in their social lives too. Social media, disturbing news, eating behavior, lifestyle changes are also harming these young minds.
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Covid-19 impact on students
There are many psychological effects of Covid-19. As per WHO, the pandemic is inducing stress in different levels of our community. Students, including teenagers, are facing issues because of the pandemic. Here are some psychological impacts of covid-19 among students.
Fear and anxiety
Most youngsters, especially final year graduates, are afraid of their future and career. They are considerate of late graduation and how it would impact them. Others fear the effects of covid and contracting the virus.
Due to the covid-19 mental health impact, students, generally, are anxious about their education. Some students have slipped into Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. It is because of the fear of contracting covid.
Watch 2 hours lecture from Harvard Medical School on how to cope fear and anxiety during the student-life.
Grief and sadness
Grief and sadness of missing their precious college/school days are yet other factors. It is also paving the way for other health conditions. Clinical psychologists feel that inability to maintain peer relationships could also have a toll on their future.
Stress and depression
From stress surveys for college students, students show a rise in their stress levels. Fear and anxiety are adding to their stress. Completion of assignments, financial constraints are other factors. Depression is yet another concern among youngsters. Apart from students becoming depressed, many students with a history of clinical depression are also struggling.
Trauma and family issues
Many students face violence, torture, and other constraints. The students find it challenging to communicate their concerns with others. Many students have lost their loved ones due to the pandemic. There are students affected by financial issues as well.
Lack of mentoring and inability to seek help increase the mental health issues in college students and teenagers. We, as a community, must take the required measures to overcome them.
Research done on college students
Academic stress and lack of motivation to pursue their goals are affecting college students. Uncertainty and change in routine are other factors. Here, we will consider research conducted on the mental health problems in college students. Many organizations have conducted studies and surveys on the same.
First, let us have a look at a study conducted among post-graduate students. They were in quarantine while they participated in these interviews. Students stated that they developed a fear of their future and their family while in isolation. They also spoke about facing negative emotions. Others mentioned how they acquired an OCD of washing their hands.
In China, there was research on 509 students by providing them with questionnaires. Through this, the researchers found that there was an increase in anxiety and depression. It was more than their national norm. There was another study among the college students of the A and M University, Texas. For the study, 2031 students participated in an online survey. Their focus was to identify the increase in depression and anxiety among students. As per their report, 960 students answered that they had moderate to high symptoms of depression. Similarly, half of the students who took part in the survey said they felt stress due to the pandemic.
It becomes evident that the negative effects of stress on college students are increasing. Covid-19 is a crucial factor that is adding to their academic tensions and fears. Apart from that, the dropout rates of students are also rising due to economic and other reasons
Very interesting outlook from "Medic Insiders" about the study done on students.
Conclusion
As there is an increase in Covid-19 mental health impact, we have to stand with the students. It is essential to provide them with support and assistance to overcome their fears and troubles. By taking the right initiatives, we can ensure that these young minds are not slipping into psychological issues.
Guiding them and helping them to build resilience are the best steps we can take during these difficult times. Students have to support each other and focus on staying happy. The smallest act of kindness can also be helpful. So, why not take a step to enhance mental health?