Effect of the Pandemic on Youth and Children

COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown have brought about an insight of fear and stress around the globe. This circumstance has led to both short term and long term psychosocial and mental health associations for children and adolescents.

The quality and magnitude of impact on children are mostly dead set on many vulnerable factors like developmental age, educational status, pre-existing mental health conditions, being economically underprivileged or being quarantined due to infection or fear of being infected.

Lockdown has impacted different people differently. Some take it as a time to take a break and to relook at priorities while others, take it as a vastly stressful time that is leading to anxiety and various degrees of depression.

Impact on youth:

Many of us, who have stood still on this immediate shift to online studies during the emergence of COVID-19 might feel like we’re hanging by a thread during this pandemic. For those who had immense hope to return to university as I do, we might be dreading another semester of online classes as the pandemic continues across the world.

I’m certain we’ve all got divided opinions when it comes to online lore. While some of us celebrate at the thought of not having to wake up ahead and face the commute to morning classes, some of us feel stressed out about the massive workload that’s going to befall us as a result.

For those like myself, online learning is one of the least appealing ways of learning, and it was a difficult adjustment for me.

Pandemic has also influenced kids as young as 22 month-old, who suffered from behavioural depression, while a 12-year-old exhibits anxiety.

The number of kids with lockdown related illnesses has increased in city hospitals and doctors say that they see at least two such cases a week. They believe these numbers are the tip of the iceberg as many parents may not come forward.

It is such a difficult time for both children and teenagers. The fact that they aren't in a position to comprehend the feelings they're experiencing as they get to feel varied emotions poses a threat here.

Loneliness in lockdown is quite common for kids, who are separated from their friends. But, I can say that all children will not be emotionally rattled by the pandemic equally–or even at all; As I stated earlier, COVID-19 will affect them to different degrees and in different ways.

Even as several countries gradually begin lifting their lockdowns, many schools remain closed, affecting almost 1.3 billion children and students worldwide as strict social restrictions are likely to remain in place across the globe.

This leaves children and youth who are already facing risks such as, those living in challenging home situations or children who are lacking social support or whose families are already standing in poverty, especially vulnerable.

Research shows that the feelings of helplessness, isolation and fear of being socially excluded, stigmatised or separated from loved ones are common in any pandemic.

Extended stress, boredom and social isolation, as well as lack of outdoor play, can lead to a larger number of mental health conditions in children, such as anxiety and even depression.

After all, no one knows for sure, I included, when things around us would get back to normal. Even heading back to school after learning at home for so long might cause a great deal of stress for some too.

Effects of being stressed:

While stress has several physical indicators, it can also indicate in more internal ways. The psychological effects of stress might include:

1. Depression

2. Anxiety

3. Problems with cognitive functioning

4. Changes in behaviour, such as being grumpy, sullen, hostile, frustrated, or withdrawn

The mental effects of stress can be more common but are tougher to identify. It's essential to pay heed to friends and family if they say, you haven't been acting like yourself. So you can be more aware of your stressors and find ways to overcome them.

How to identify them:

Here's how you identify stress, address your fears and can try to manage your stress. Together, you can make your life, little more manageable for all of you during these challenging times.

For instance, you might become more clingy, anxious, angry, withdraw, or agitated. Here are some other possible signs that you are stressed out:

1. Displaying excessive crying or irritation

2. Acting out or being irritable

3. Regressing outgrown behaviours

4. Experiencing unexplained headaches, stomachaches or other types of pain

5. Engaging in unhealthy eating habits

6. Having poor sleeping habits

7. Experiencing excessive worry, fears, or sadness

8. Avoiding school or performing poorly

9. Having a difficult time concentrating, focusing, or paying attention

I hope you can acknowledge these signs at the earliest to avoid other mental problems to prevail throughout your life.

Fear, uncertainty and stress can have a significant impact on your health. Research shows that when teens are exposed to chronic stress, they are at risk for several negative health outcomes in adulthood, such as depression, cancer, asthma, and cardiovascular disease.

Tips to beat stress:

1. To stay on a healthy diet:

A healthy diet is vital to get through a stressful season. Eating healthy foods can help you to stabilize your blood pressure and blood sugar levels, which cause many of the physical symptoms of stress.

Eating right, like whole, fibrous food, is vital for academic performance. This is brutally true during stressful times when it can be even more difficult to choose healthy foods because poor eating habits and stress often go hand-in-hand.

2. Spending quality time with loved ones:

One of the essential components of school is social interaction. Many studies conclude that when we're surrounded by friends we have a more optimistic view of life, which may help us more easily overcome challenges.

Talk to your family as well. Share your worries and anxieties about your semester and exams with them. Talking openly about the issues that stress you out would do some good after spending a long day before the laptop screen.

But remember not to leave loneliness to consume you during your semester of online studies, because it’ll do more damage than good.

3. Exercise more:

Exercise is a proven and recommended stress reliever because it reduces the stress hormone, cortisol, and releases good chemicals like endorphins. This can also help us to concentrate more as research indicates a clear correlation between physical activity and academic performance.

4. Prioritize your mental health:

Just as your physical health is vital so is your mental health. During the pandemic, a lot of us have been overwhelmed with the state of things, and this has provided a way to negative thoughts.

When you identify yourself grieving or overthinking about something, take a step back and analyse the situation. If you think you can’t handle the anxiety or the stress, then do talk with your family or trusted friends.

5. A walk to the park:

Unquestionably, one of the most challenging parts of the pandemic is being stuck at home, and that loneliness may lead to poor habits like an improper diet or overeating. But spending some time outside can make a huge difference as research indicates a bridge between the outdoors and academic performance. The fresh air can always lighten your stressful mood.

6. Reach out to professors:

Although professors seem to constantly provide video lectures, tutorials, assignments and other activities, they’re very well aware of our situation. They’re also trying to beat the COVID scenario as well.

Hence, they might help by having a conversation with you and will be happy if you take the first step to reach out to them. So, don’t hesitate to seek assistance when you need it.

Personally, for me, I was provided with numerous resources from my university to help me overcome some issues – both personal and academic-related.

Whether you like it or not, COVID -19 is not going anywhere, at least not for a while. The only option is to adapt, prepare and adjust to the ‘new normal’ to get through your studies. Remember to remind yourself that help is always available whenever and wherever you need it.

As students, you must grapple with the constant change of nature for this year. You must work on building habits that will help you maintain your mental health, but it is even more important that you remain compassionate towards yourself and others in that process.

Taking care of yourself can also help you to take care of others. During the difficult times of social distancing, it is equally important to stay connected with your friends and family. Helping others cope with their stress through phone calls or video chats can help you and your loved ones feel less lonely or isolated.

Written By – Bennet Vini. R