Mental Health Coming Out of COVID-19

We’ve all lived – and are still living – through “unprecedented times” and adjusting to “new normals” in every aspect of our lives. From adults embracing fully remote or hybrid work to students who have spent the last two years learning virtually, we’ve all faced disruptions to the routines we knew before.

If you’ve been having a hard time dealing with extended isolation or find entering social situations awkward, you’re not alone.

How Hard Did COVID Hit Schools and Students?

The shift to virtual learning through Zoom and other platforms came all at once, with many schools scrambling to meet the challenge.

In a survey conducted by the CDC, more than 37 percent of high school students reported they experienced poor mental health during the pandemic. 44 percent said they felt sad or hopeless over the past year.

Stuck at home, many students have lacked external support to help them deal with social isolation or outlets from parental stress, the loss of routine, or other difficulties in their family lives. They’ve also been unable to hit milestones like birthdays, prom, and other activities that are critical to development.

With virtual learning, some students cited anxiety due to the inability to find a quiet place at home to take their classes, worrying about what other people thought, among other challenges.

The quality of education fell by the wayside as students were stuck with recorded lessons, asynchronous schedules, and lacked support from teachers and mentors.

Challenges Coming Back to Normal

Even as schools are returning to in-person instruction, many schools have been struggling with decreased attendance and issues re-establishing in-person basics such as getting up, getting dressed, and getting to school on time. Schools have also been facing staffing shortages and other difficulties returning to live classes.

Students have also cited issues going back to school, with increased anxiety or continuing to feel distanced and disconnected from their peers. While returning to a schedule reintroduces much-needed structure for high schoolers, readjusting to in-person socializing can be difficult.

Schedules with friends may not line up, and extended quarantine may have altered relationships, as students have had to navigate mental health challenges on their own. So how do students navigate going back to “normal?”

Supporting Schools and Students

It’s imperative that schools, parents, and their respective communities try to re-engage students and encourage their attendance and the recovery of their mental health.

Field trips, extracurriculars, clubs, and other activities are key to helping students reconnect with their peers and their schoolwork. Looking forward to and committing to academic challenges may help students in the long run in focusing again on their academic achievements and moving forward.

While the pandemic has encouraged some people to find new creative pursuits, some students need to return to activities such as team sports and other social opportunities that might have been difficult during quarantine.