The Lasting Effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Mental Health in Adolescents
Written by: Lia Shaffer-Tropeano
Key Words: Mental health, Covid-19, adolescents
Trigger Warning: Discussions of adolescent anxiety and depression; Covid-19
Disclaimer: The information and resources provided in this blog post are simply supplementary information. The recommendations and resources in this post are not a substitute for mental health treatment.
The Lasting Effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Adolescents
The covid-19 Pandemic has affected countless lives around the globe. The world had been hit with an unprecedented event that created a level of uncertainty many of us had not seen in our lifetimes. The initial shutdown in early 2020 left many with heightened feelings of anxiety and depression (“Covid-19 pandemic,” 2022). Since then, we have had to adapt, grow and discover ways to survive in our newfound reality. Although we have been aided with vaccines, masks and other methods to help prevent the spread of the virus; these heightened feelings of anxiety and depression have persisted, especially in adolescents.
The mental health effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have reached many demographics throughout the world, one affected group being adolescents. Since the outbreak, many adolescents (ages 12 to 17) have reported feeling increased levels of stress, a decline in emotional health and a reduction in connection amongst their peers (Panchal et al., 2022). The CDC released data sharing that in 2021, 37% of high school students had reported experiencing poor mental health throughout this pandemic and 44% reported they felt a constant sadness or hopelessness during the past year (“New CDC data,” 2022). The emergence of the covid-19 pandemic has had lasting effects on our lives and the lives of the younger generation whose childhood and young adulthood is being shaped by it.
Although we are no longer facing the paralyzing fears that came with the initial impact of the outbreak, we are still experiencing the effects of the newfound reality covid-19 has created. If you are feeling persistent heightened anxiety or depression from the pandemic, you are not alone. If you, an adolescent in your life or someone you know is struggling with any outcome the Covid-19 pandemic has brought, please do not hesitate to get help. What you are feeling is valid. Our therapists are here to offer our services to you or a loved one in these ever-changing, uncertain times.
References
Covid-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. (2022, March 02). Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.who.int/news/item/02-03-2022-covid-19-pandemic-triggers-25-increase-in-prevalence-of-anxiety-and-depression-worldwide#:~:text=Wake%2Dup%20call%20to%20all,mental%20health%20services%20and%20support&text=In%20the%20first%20year%20of,Health%20Organization%20(WHO)%20today.
New CDC data illuminate youth mental health threats during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2022, March 31). Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p0331-youth-mental-health-covid-19.html#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20new%20data,hopeless%20during%20the%20past%20year.
Panchal, N., Rudowitz, R., & Cox, C. (2022, June 28). Recent trends in Mental Health and substance use concerns among adolescents. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/recent-trends-in-mental-health-and-substance-use-concerns-among-adolescents/
The National Survey of Children's Health. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.childhealthdata.org/learn-about-the-nsch/NSCH