The Pandemic Wave Of Sadness

by Eva Solorio, Reporter

Current Event/Psychology

The pandemic has brought great misery, a pause in life, cancellations, the loss of hope, and grief. As a highschool junior, adjusting to this new “normal” is an immense challenge—online school is an obstacle in and of itself. Figuring out what to do with one’s life asks for too much in these troubling times. Mental health in teens has been plummeting severely due to traumatic life events, juggling life’s responsibilities, and figuring out post-high school plans.

April of 2020 was the first time most students set foot in virtual learning. The majority of pupils remember it as a difficult time, asking “when will the world return back to normal?” The spiking COVID-19 rates during the beginning of online learning correlated to a large drop in students' average grades. Students who once excelled in academics struggled to keep up.

But, why did this trend begin? And how are the trends continuing?

Personally, 2020 felt like a blur. The past year felt stolen; it took any power and control students once possessed. As a member of the class of 2022, the fact that I will be a senior next year seems surreal. The uneasy tempo has created an unsafe environment for some teens, leading them to feel lost and desperate for a familiar feeling. Although, this trend with teens and mental health is nothing new. “With the added trauma of the global pandemic, it’s not a surprise that teens are one of the most affected groups,” says Brittany LeMonda, PhD, senior neuropsychologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. Most teens have dealt with a huge weight on their shoulders during the COVID-19 pandemic—the decline of social life, education, and personal struggles.

Furthermore, teenagers already cope with raging hormonal changes, which often affect mental health. “Teenage years are filled with physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. There are also hormonal shifts, more independence and responsibility, and peer challenges” (Healthline). With the dramatic shift from our former normal, many teens miss traditional social interaction. Oftentimes, teens rely on social interaction to enjoy the school experience. After staring at a computer all day during classes and the nightmare of breakout rooms, teens often feel uncomfortable and find it far more difficult to engage socially online. Humans thrive on social contact, and stripping away a human necessity is bound to create consequences. When I look back at memories of the old “normal,” I enjoyed interacting with my classmates, and I even asked for help or stayed after school. There were connections with classmates and teachers that made the environment extraordinarily positive.

The restrictions and lost opportunities the pandemic caused has only led to worsening mental health. “Throughout the pandemic, anxiety, depression, sleep disruptions, and thoughts of suicide have increased for many young adults” (Nirmata). Oftentimes, long periods of isolation cause the human mind to wander, creating a toxic mental environment.

When asked how they felt during the beginning of the pandemic, many teens told me they often felt “very alone.” Initially, I felt a surge of confidence and a positive mindset, as if it were a second chance of improving my academic grades. I did not have the “connection” that I once had with other students and teachers. I felt alone and unsure because of the unpredictability of the pandemic. Questions such as “Where will all this effort go?” began to occupy my mind. How did other teens feel? With the constant pressure of perfectionism in the age of social media, academics, careers, and college plans, it seems impossible to be a teen during COVID-19.

The best solution is to truly listen to one another. If a friend or peer is in crisis, always tell a trusted adult and comfort them. COVID-19, unsettling world events, and personal issues are unbelievably difficult burdens to bear alone, let alone all at once. Our situation is not easy for anyone, but the strongest we can do is stand up for each other. Several ways to reach out or improve mental health are to talk to a loved one. It is crucial to talk through negative emotions. Even painting, writing, dancing, meditating, or praying greatly helps! Slow down and smell the roses; the pandemic is tough, but so are you!

DISCLAIMER: The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the various authors in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of Kamiak High School or The Gauntlet.

Sources

Drillinger, Meagan. “COVID-19 Lockdown Impacts Teens' Mental Health.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 15 Mar. 2021, www.healthline.com/health-news/impact-of-covid-19-lockdown-on-teens-mental-health. Kamenetz, Anya. “The Pandemic Has Researchers Worried About Teen Suicide.” NPR, NPR, 10 Sept. 2020, www.npr.org/2020/09/10/911117577/the-pandemic-has- researchers-worried-about-teen-suicide.

Levitt, Alex. “Distance Learning Harms Teenagers' Mental Health, Experts Find.” The Coat of Arms, menlocoa.org/19533/news/distance- learning-harms-teenagers-mental-health-experts-find/.

Nirmita Panchal, Rabah Kamal, and Feb 2021. “The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use.” KFF, 14 Apr. 2021, www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/.