By: Ariana Mannetta
Since the beginning of social isolation, children and teens have been forced to lock down at home without their friends, without daily structure, and with fear. From seeing friends every day at school, to maybe FaceTiming each other once a week, the virus has affected teenagers’ social life. Not to mention, it has caused teens to live their day to day life without structure and with more stress. As a result, Covid-19 has taken a toll on children and teenager’s well-being. These kids are feeling anxious and uncertain during these unknowing times which is damaging
to their mental health.
As a teen myself, I felt anxious and stressed out. I did not know if I was going back to school or if I was going to see my friends. I did not if the cases would suddenly skyrocket. I did not now if one of my family members would get Covid-19. I was unsure of what would happen next and what my future would hold. But I learned that my parents were there for me and so were my friends and I stopped stressing out so much.
In a recent study from the World Health Organization, children may be experiencing fears such as the fear of dying, the fear of losing their loved ones, and the fear of medical treatment. These overwhelming fears are usually experienced by adults. This means that a child can be facing something extremely intense at a young age that can create long lasting damage to the kid.
When this all started, I feared getting the virus because I did not know what damage it would cause, and I did not want to break the rules and guidelines for my safety. I also felt panic, because there were more and more cases every day and my chances of getting the virus were getting higher.
In addition, due to schools closing, children and teenager’s have not been able to talk with the
ir friends. Since they do not have the opportunity to be with their friends, they tend to feel sad, irritated, and lonely. Personally, I did not feel sad or lonely, but I did not feel the urge to text or call my friends because I was at home and comfortable and I did not want to be bothered. This will have an impact on my life when this ends, because I would not be able to socialize and I will become reclusive. I realized that, so now I have changed my ways and started talking to my friends more.
Other than missing their friends and feeling scared and anxious, some children and teens live in a dangerous home environment. They can be susceptible to physical and/or mental abuse which is scarring to the child. Usually, school is a place for them to get away from all their at home issues. If you know anyone in this situation, please make sure they get the help they need.
In conclusion, you, your friend, or someone you know mental health may be at risk due to everything that is going on in the world. They can be frightened and nervous of death, sad and lonely due to the lack of socializing, or they can be in a harmful at home situation. Hopefully, sooner than later, this will all come to an end, but your mental health may never recover. If you know someone who is going through this, talk to them and help and support them during this tough time. We will all get through this together.
Mental health resources-
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