According to the Center of Disease Control, approximately 56 million Americans suffer from depression and/or anxiety. Since the start of quarantine, more individuals are experiencing episodes of depression and anxiety. Evidence has shown that people have been able to improve their mental health by exercising, journaling, meditating, and drawing.

"For me I don't think it's about the pandemic, more just being home and having more time to myself, so I think. Also, just being alone with no one around me like how school was. I cope with participating with Mr. C's Instagram challenges and sleeping (gets me out of thinking)."

-- Gina, Stiern Middle School, 8th Grade

"As far as I know, no one in my family has had negativity in them. We try to make a good out of a bad situation."

-- Ximena, Pioneer Drive Elementary, 6th Grade

"I believe that my sister's father has been affected by the covid-19 pandemic."

-- Lasheau, Emerson Middle School, 7th Grade

"I do not believe that anybody I know is mentally affected by this virus."

-- Blake, Stiern Middle School, 8th Grade

"Fortunately, I haven't noticed any of my siblings and relatives suffer from depression in this dark time. As a matter of fact, I am positive that I have an explanation for their joy. Most of my relatives are surrounded by their loved ones; this gives them an opportunity to strengthen their social skills. This is only possible because my relatives are yet to be infected by the influenza. With this new age of technology, if one of us gets the influenza, we can still virtually chat."

-- Erick, Pioneer Drive Elementary, 6th Grade

"No, I do not think anyone I know has been mentally affected by the coronavirus."

-- Alexis, Emerson Middle School, 7th Grade

"I don't really know anyone who's mental health was affected by the corona virus. But I DO know that a LOT of people have it. One time, there were these guys working on the house next door. The next day, my parents said that we were lucky because apparently, they had the coronavirus. But if I DID know somebody who was affected, I would try and help by talking to them."

-- Isaac, Stiern Middle School, 8th Grade

"I don't know any person, but I think my dog's mental health has been negatively affected, because we can't go to the park so we are trying to solve this by walking around the yard."

Zoey, Pioneer Drive Elementary, 6th Grade

"I don't believe that anyone I know or my own mental health has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic."

-- Aleeza, Emerson Middle School, 7th Grade

"I don’t believe that I know anyone who as been negatively affected by Covid-19 but I know a lot of people that miss their friends. Also, because of this pandemic (Covid-19) people are getting stronger bonds and relationships with their family and loved ones."

-- Noah, Stiern Middle School, 8th Grade

"No, I do not believe I know anyone who has been negatively affected."

-- Antonio, Stiern Middle School, 7th Grade

"No one I know is affected negatively by this whole quarantine."

-- Samantha, Stiern Middle School, 8th Grade

"Yes I have, and I feel bad for all the other people that can't cope with this whole thing that has been going on. A lot of them can and that is good that a lot of people are still surviving during this whole pandemic deal that is going on. For the most part, I have been good with this whole COVID-19 thing."

-- Nathan, Stiern Middle School, 8th Grade

"I feel bad because I can't go outside."

-- Angel, Stiern Middle School, 7th Grade

"I've been trying to stay safe and to stay inside all the time. I've been trying to not go anywhere else except for the store or somewhere that you really have to be."

-- Ayden, Stiern Middle School, 8th Grade

"No. Currently, nobody I know has been negatively mentally affected. I am not bored since I can go play with my neighbors every week to keep me active. I just hope this ends soon."

-- Emilio, Stiern Middle School, 8th Grade