Mental Health Another Side-Effect of COVID-19

The pandemic has proven to spare no one from its grip. There is still so much uncertainty revolving around the virus. No matter where a person is, someone has been affected by the novel coronavirus. For some, the struggle has been more prominent than others. In these unpredictable times, it is important to reflect on mental health and how one has been adapting to these extreme changes.

There has been a noticeable rise in mental health issues recently; 4/10 adults during the pandemic have reported an anxiety or depressive disorder stemming from the pandemic. It is important to remember no one is alone; millions are going through the same thing.

“During the first lockdown, I felt completely isolated. I missed the interactions with my friends at school and doing normal everyday activities that I took for granted,” FASD student Mya Tanhouser said. 

The first lockdown was not a concern for a lot of people; it wasn’t until “two weeks” turned into a full year that people realized the gravity of the situation. 

“I remember when they announced that we were having two weeks off. I was ecstatic to have a much-needed break away from school. If only I had known that it would turn into a year, I do not think I would have been so excited,” FASD student Molly Lutcavage said.

Throughout these unprecedented times, most people have struggled to keep a sense of normalcy in their everyday lives. Keeping busy is important, but everyone still should focus and prioritize his or her mental health and what activities benefit him or her in that way. 

“To stay occupied, I read lots of poetry, watch anime, and look at TikTok. These outlets brought me a great deal of comfort, and doing these allowed me to de-stress and do things that I liked. Having these outlets has made the pandemic so much easier,” Tanhouser said. 

There is no doubt that everyone will always remember 2020 and the crazy events that rattled everyone. The real question is, How are people coping?

“The multiple lockdowns and self-isolation have caused me to become more anxious than normal. I listen to music to help cope and calm myself down. To anyone struggling, I highly recommend music to help de-stress. It is a great opportunity for time to take care of yourself,” Lutcavage said. 

There are many obstacles that coronavirus has presented to millions of people, whether it is adapting to a new work life and/or school life, a new social life, or a completely different dynamic that few were prepared for.

The one that hit home for a lot of people was not being able to see their family members. For those who have been correctly following guidelines and doing their part, that also comes with separation from family. 

“The hardest part is not being able to see my mom and dad. My dad had cancer in the past and, with their old ages, they are extremely susceptible to a severe case of COVID-19. That has to be the hardest part of all of this for me. From being so involved with my family to not being able to hug them for a year!” Elizabeth Duh, R.N., said.

Overall, the Coronavirus pandemic has affected each individual differently. It is extremely important to pay attention to mental health during these times. 

No matter what a person is struggling with, he or she is never alone. It is okay to be just “okay”. What’s important is that a person prioritizes his or her physical and mental health. There are so many other people out there struggling as well.