By Kiley Lachance 11/15/2020

Students at Cony High School are juggling their physical and mental health this school year as they navigate a pandemic and online learning. School social workers also say that more students are reporting that they are anxious and stressed.

Before the global pandemic coronavirus shut down school in March 2019, Alyssa Hustus struggled with social anxiety. So, when given the option to either attend school in-person or online for her junior year, Hustus chose the completely remote option.

Hustus said choosing to attend her classes online this year is “making her independent and able to engage more.”

Occasional technology difficulties have made some parts of online schooling harder, but overall Hustus said she prefers online learning. The online option has helped reduce her social anxiety of being in a classroom, and has also limited the amount of potential exposures she has to places that can make her feel anxious.

Annmarie Perry is also a junior at Cony High School. She instead opted into the school's hybrid plan this year, which includes both in-person and online instruction. She goes to school twice a week for classes and learns remotely for the remainder of the week.

“I learn better hands on, not through a screen, and having someone right there in a classroom helps a lot," Perry said.

But attending class in person comes with its own frustrations. It can be hard to keep the CDC's recommended 6-feet of social distance around friends and having to wear a mask all day, Perry said.

Perry said her mental health has not changed much from prior to the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Things are a little harder now, but she is able to manage herself, she said.

This year has required students to adjust. Michelle Burns, one of the high school's two social workers, said she has seen increased anxiety and stress among students. She strongly suggested for students to reach out for help, no matter how small their problem may be.

“We’re all in it together and we don’t want any student to feel alone. We want them to know it’s okay to seek support. It’s for everyone,” Burns said.

Burns and the other social worker at Cony are currently working on a project to help students better voice what they’re experiencing. It consists of developing: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making.

Burns suggested that if any students feel like they need help, then they should take a quick trip to guidance or the health suit for a chat about the problems they’re confronting this year.