Mental Health
The COVID-19 pandemic poses increased risks to our mental health. For young people, this is especially apparent. The sudden shift from normalcy leaves students more isolated and stressed, often without the social systems of support they’re accustomed to leaning on.
Four students from Washington-Liberty High School worked with school counselors to create an infographic demonstrating the recent correlation between the pandemic and adverse impacts on mental health. The results clearly demonstrate a need for continued emphasis on the importance of mental wellness.
Read the findings of their research below.
“During this time of Covid-19 and the state-issued isolation, stress and mental health can become more prevalent and affect more of us teens.
Stress especially can cause some serious emotions and feelings to be expressed and the lessened interaction we normally have makes it sometimes harder to deal with.
In a study done in the US, Europe, and New Zealand, here are some statistics that were found among the sample groups, according to Forbes Magazine.
6 Covid-19 Mental Health Impacts this Research Indicates:
Both the CDC and WHO suggest that while in quarantine, everyone should partake in healthy activities. These suggested activities improve not only physical health, but also mental health for all of us.
Activities like the following are recommended:
These activities will help your body stay strong. Many of them will also help relieve some of the additional stress that we feel during this time.
All of these services are free:
Sources:
At SIOV, we’re committed to creating and distributing resources to help our community. There’s not a one-size-fits-all solution for improving mental wellness, but the message this data sends is clear: We need to work together to support everyone in our community. Fortunately, there are many ways we can do so.
What can you do? Right now, maybe it’s starting that hard conversation, really listening with an open mind, or donating to an initiative that speaks to you. Whatever it is, now is the time to take action around the bevy of crises our world faces.
At SIOV, we’re committed to creating open dialogue, education, empowerment, and positive change. Under normal circumstances, we leverage the power of upstream prevention by implementing programs like Sources of Strength, and strive to live these principles in our own lives every day.
Looking for support or ways to advocate mental health? Check out our extensive resource library, COVID-19 resource hub, and recent blogs sharing perspectives on life during the pandemic. Interested in writing for our blog? Email info@strengthinourvoices.org to pitch!