Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak that has occurred this year, thousands of individuals have been impacted not only physically, but mentally as well. This can be attributed to the many changes that people have been asked and expected to make. 

According to the World Health Organization, “Faced with new realities of working from home, temporary unemployment, home-schooling of children, and lack of physical contact with other family members, friends, and colleagues, it is important that we look after our mental, as well as our physical, health.” https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/covid-19 

Keeping up with school work and attempting to make satisfactory grades during this time has continued to be a key struggle for students and their mental health. 

“The pandemic has made me realize that my main source of stress is actually school, and when the stress about school piles up I lose motivation for my work and extracurriculars,” senior Mckenna Watson said. 

Despite the many struggles that people are currently facing, students have attempted to find ways to cope with their stress and improve their overall mental state.

“To help my mental health I just try to get out of bed and do something when I’m not in class,” senior Cheyenne Hilbert said. “I try to clean my room or clean my closet and it helps a great deal, as it’s a great way to work on self-care.”

Student’s mental struggles during the pandemic are not only due to school though, as social isolation, family hardships, and other personal issues have become more pertinent.

According to the New York Times, “The twin crises of the pandemic and the economic downturn have imposed new personal hardships on students. Some are taking care of family members who have fallen sick with Covid-19; others have been thrust into dealing with their parents’ unemployment or financial strain. Being holed up at home makes it tough to lean on friends.” https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/12/health/covid-teenagers-mental-health.html

Overall, mental health awareness is extremely important, especially in these trying times. We must look out for students and let them know that we are supporting them through the pandemic.

“At this point, I’m just trying my best to make it through each day and take things from there.” sophomore Robert Crosley said.