The uncertainty brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a lifestyle transition with a considerable impact on individual mental health and well-being. Students and young people have significantly felt the impact all over the world. These different transitions in the lives of young people have greatly impacted their sound mental health and well-being. Governments around the globe have enacted measures such as the closing of schools, social distancing, and quarantines. This is to curb the spread of the virus. These measures have led to greater isolation and monetary distress.
Most youths are experiencing feelings of anxiety, anger, loneliness, fear, and worry for their families and friends. In the United States, studies have shown that 45% of young adults are facing mental health issues. This is due to worry and tension over the coronavirus. This text explores the ramifications of the guidelines put in place and the current financial crisis on the mental health and well-being of students and young people.
Impact Due To Physical Distancing
With the COVID 19 pandemic prevalence, most states are encouraging social distancing. Closing of schools, remote working, and restraining large gatherings are some of the measures set up to cope with this. Research links social isolation to loneliness, consequently affecting mental and physical health.
The closure of learning institutions may lead to an increase in mental health problems among students and adolescents. Some depend on school services such as mental health services and social engagement with peers. School closure means that these young people no longer have access to key mental health services. This results in heightened cases of depression, anxiety, and suicidal conceptualization among the young generation.
Substance use is another behavioral concern among young people especially now that they are lounging at home. Misuse of illicit drugs among teens can lead to addiction and mental health problems in adulthood.
The Implication Of Financial Insecurities On Mental Health
The pandemic has had detrimental effects on a lot of businesses and companies, forcing them to lay off employees. Many families have lost their source of livelihood as millions of people around the world filed for unemployment in the wake of the coronavirus.
Job loss is consort with feelings of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and distress. Therefore, young people with low income are more likely to report cases of deterioration in their mental health and well-being due to worry and stress from the pandemic.
Moreover, living in a low-income household has been linked to an increased rate of mental health problems among children living under the named condition. Due to financial constraints during this time, young people with mental health issues are least likely to afford quality mental health care.
Adapting To The New Normal
The coronavirus has disrupted the usual academic landscape changing students' lives completely as they should now accept and adapt to the new way of doing things. Faculties have quickly shifted to remote learning as most schools and higher education centers remain closed.
Students had little time to process the overwhelming abrupt changes affecting their lives and the lives of their loved ones. For some, adjusting to changes in their learning experiences involved shifting their living arrangements. Following the closure of learning institutions, students got out of school dwellings. Besides, international students had to stay away from their families due to travel bans. Moreover, fearing a lasting economic crisis, the managerial department for these institutions was uncertain about meeting the required obligations to students.
It is evident that the well-being of our children is being affected by all that's happening around us. The multiple dimensional transitioning due to the corona pandemic has been overwhelming to the children as much as it has been to their parents. Many young people are fearful of contracting the virus and losing their loved ones and friends. Providing a mainstream of mental healthcare services will help address the well-being and mental health needs of young people.
