Mental health affects us all and, especially during a pandemic, we need to be looking out for ourselves and others. graphic courtesy of Eleanor Jane
Everyone is affected by mental health in one way or another, and we seem to overlook the toll this pandemic has had on all of us.
Nearly one in five adults from the United States lives with a mental illness. Out of these individuals, only 42% are receiving the mental health services that they need. In reality, many people understand what it is like to struggle with a mental illness, but due to the stigma around mental health, many individuals do not feel comfortable talking about their struggles.
Over the last couple of months in the United States, mental health services have been put on the back burner because of the pandemic. Due to financial reasons, many people who had been seeking mental health services might no longer be receiving those services. Additionally, due to the spike in unemployment, many people who had insurance to cover mental health services no longer are able to afford it.It is very easy to underestimate the toll poor mental health can take on your life. Due to the pandemic, our lives have changed drastically. Many of us no longer have the daily routine that keeps us going from day-to-day. For most students when the pandemic hit, their lives were put on pause. Sports, musical theater, orchestra, clubs, prom, and even graduation were all canceled. Back in March, you might have been relieved to have a couple extra weeks off, assuming life would go back to normal shortly after. Seven months out from DPS going remote, there is still no clear end in sight. It can be a lot to handle and it is easy to give up hope, especially for teenagers. Suicide is the highest cause of death for Coloradans between the age of 10 and 24 and was even before the pandemic started. Teenagers are even more at risk than before due to the disruption in their lives caused by the Coronavirus.
Maddy McClure, a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School, shared her personal experience with mental health during COVID. In the spring she was competing on TJ’s men’s lacrosse team, until the season was cut short due to the pandemic. McClure reflected on how the last few months impacted her mental health. “COVID has negatively impacted my mental health, especially from March to May not being able to see friends and being stuck at home was really hard.” As a student, McClure recognized that her academics have taken a turn for the worst due to online school. “Doing school online has been challenging, and I definitely don’t feel as productive when I’m doing all my work from home.” Many students agree with McClure, but because of the popular belief that online school is easier for students, many teachers and parents want to assign more work. Although most students have a surplus of time compared to past semesters, many are struggling to stay motivated. Everyone can recognize that this semester is unique in many ways, and while we are all doing our best to adapt, more can be done by those in leadership positions to make sure that their communities are in a good place mentally.
In a time where we are told to isolate ourselves from others to decrease the spread of a pandemic, it is important that we listen to experts. However, just because we have to physically isolate ourselves doesn’t mean we should isolate ourselves emotionally. In fact, we should be even more open than normal about how we are feeling. Small business owner and ex-professional volleyball player Alysa Heath understands that the current climate we live in adds even more stress to our daily lives. As a new mother, Heath had a lot on her plate, even before the pandemic started. “All of the sudden I felt very lonely and helpless because my family couldn’t come help me due to the stay at home order. I already have depression that I take medicine for, and postpartum depression hit me really hard.” Heath’s perspective shows how the pandemic affected people in different demographics in unique ways. Once Heath took a step back and realized how important her son was to her but also how she needed to take care of herself, she started to reincorporate coping mechanisms into her life. “I started doing things for myself such as working out, reading self-help books, and turning off my phone.” It is important to give yourself breaks from the constant stress that is put on us during the pandemic. Having studied Adult Fitness and Exercise Science in college, Heath understands that it is crucial to stay active to fight off mental illness. Heath currently works as a strength and conditioning coach, predominantly with teenagers. As a person in a leadership position, Heath believes that “there should be daily private or group check-ins on employees or students.” Recognizing the influence she and others in her position can have over their community’s mental health, Heath says, “People in leadership positions should learn to recognize signs that people are falling into depression or anxiety and how to properly and professionally address someone exhibiting these sights.” The more open communication in safe spaces such as school, sports, and work, the easier it will be for those struggling with mental health to stay motivated through these difficult times.
Even before our world entered complete turmoil, I suffered with my own mental illnesses. I have been diagnosed with both anxiety and depression, and I have attended therapy over the past four years. Suffering from mental illness is extremely difficult, and having reality switch overnight makes it much harder to cope. Like many others, I coped with my depression and anxiety by sticking to a routine. Knowing what my day was going to look like, I was able to work in breaks for coping mechanisms to keep my demons at bay. Now, I struggle to get out of bed every morning because I do not know what my day will hold. Will my WiFi crash in the middle of a class, leading to a panic attack that will leave me shaken up for the rest of the day? Or, worst scenario, will I receive the news that someone in my life is battling for their life because they have Coronavirus? Nothing is given right now. Every moment we have to do what we love and to be with the people we love is a gift, and while I acknowledge and am thankful for the opportunities I am given, I and many others I know need additional support. I am not asking for much, but it would mean a lot to me if one of my teachers were to take a few minutes to open up a conversation on how we are feeling. It is nice to know that you are not alone, and the only way we can confirm that is through communication. Share how you are feeling with the people around you and make sure you are checking up on them. Be compassionate to what other people are going through and be open to adjusting due to other people’s mental health.
