Anne Kaldjian

Hello! My name is Anne, and I'm an undergraduate at Macalester College. I'm majoring in Geography and Music, and am original from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. When I'm not practicing or studying, I enjoy exploring the Metro area and spending time outdoors. I love Macalester because of all the opportunities we have to utilize our urban environment in our studies.

Wednesday, November 18th

After hearing about Governor Walz’s most recent order for COVID-19 restrictions, I began thinking more about the toll that the pandemic has been taking on society’s mental health. As COVID-19 entered the United States last spring, we had no idea how long it was to last. At least from my perspective, I assumed it would all be over within a couple of months. Even at that time however, the virus and its effects on our daily lives was taking a serious toll on people’s mental health. Being unable to socialize, having travel plans cancelled, social gatherings cancelled, moving more interactions to online, all of these things began creating a desperate feeling of being stuck, cooped in, alone. The one thing I consoled myself of at the moment though, was that the weather was getting warmer. We’d be able to go outside soon, the weather would make people happy, we could at least have small gatherings outdoors and enjoy time gardening and hiking and such.

Now though, we’ve entered into a darker season. The pandemic exhausted us throughout the spring and summer, leaving us still needing the rejuvenation that summer typically provides. Now it’s getting darker, much colder, and I think our hopes of a fast turn around have long gone. I know at the beginning of the pandemic we heard about lots of the ramifications it had on mental health conditions, but I believe that those concerns may be getting even worse now. There isn’t much chance for socialization outside, meaning many people in the northern hemisphere are feeling even more trapped than they were at the beginning. I’m curious in particular about the geography of the pandemic’s effect on mental health — would there be higher cases of COVID-caused crises in places which are more seasonal as compared to areas with more mediterranean climates, or other areas which are warm year-round? I think back to when I lived in Arizona, and know that this time of year would still permit outside meetings, regular hikes and outdoor activities, and lots of sunlight to combat depressive symptoms. Up here in the north however, this isn’t the case. We’re more stuck inside than ever, unable to tackle the winter doldrums through a quick chat inside a warm coffee shop, or the annual family Thanksgiving get-together.