As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact young people, we must do everything possible to safeguard and support them. Specifically, we must know its effects on their mental health, education, and employment prospects.
Countries have implemented various policies and measures to support and mitigate these effects. However, we want all young people to have equitable access and be included in policy discussions about pandemic planning. In that case, we must create spaces for engagement and pay attention to their voices.
Health
Stress is inevitable, but when multiple obstacles pile up and overwhelm you, the effects on your well-being may be detrimental. Therefore, it’s essential to keep stress levels under control.
Young people infected with COVID-19 may be particularly vulnerable to stress due to media coverage about the pandemic and worries for their loved ones. That is why it is essential to guide them on managing stress and receiving assistance when necessary.
It is also essential to remember that social isolation can lead to depression. Laying on bed watching hentai all day, not doing exercise and secluding yourself from people won’t make things better, but it is understable. So make time for those in your life, even if it means limiting screen time — TV, tablet, or computer — so you can spend quality time together.
Avoid alcohol, drugs, and tobacco to manage stress; these can increase your likelihood of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Instead, find ways to manage stress, such as regular exercise and prioritizing mental well-being.
Women affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are likelier to report poor mental health than men. This could be because they feel less connected and have experienced discrimination based on their gender.
Many young people could not attend regular life events such as births, graduations, internships, vacation plans, or funerals during the pandemic. This has caused them to feel disconnected from friends and family, which can be difficult for them to accept and makes grieving difficult. Therefore, we must educate young people about connecting and supporting one another even if they cannot attend traditional social gatherings.
Education
Education is essential for young people’s success. It helps them prepare for employment and enhances their economic prospects, which benefits society.
Students often struggle in school due to a lack of support or disruptions to their daily schedules. As a result, they are at an increased risk of dropping out or having their grades drop and failing to reach their full potential.
Furthermore, young people often struggle with mental health issues which can negatively impact their academic performance, decision-making abilities, and overall well-being. This is especially true for adolescents still developing their identity and social skills.
Children and youth with poor mental health often struggle academically, abuse substances, and have higher rates of suicide. Therefore, schools must ensure students receive sufficient educational, social, and psychological assistance. Teachers are essential partners in encouraging young people to stay in school. They offer guidance, support, and opportunities for physical activity and socialization.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, educators and families have been forced to assume more responsibility for learning and teaching their children from home. While this is a positive step in the right direction, it can also prove challenging for parents and educators.
Employment
Young adults often struggle to secure employment during their twenties, particularly those working in labor-intensive industries. This is partly due to gendered expectations of unpaid family work and a lack of jobs paying well enough for young women to support themselves financially.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic dealt a devastating blow to youth employment: forty million people who would have had jobs had none by 2021. This poses an urgent concern for leaders across government and education who must devise pathways toward prosperity for young people in the future.
In the short term, countries should support targeted vaccination campaigns for young and school-age students, guarantee access to preprimary education, and expand coverage of cash transfers for vulnerable families. Furthermore, they must increase youth employment opportunities through adapted training, job intermediation services, and entrepreneurship programs.
Recent research by Resolution Foundation revealed that young adults between 18-24 were more likely to have experienced extended worklessness (unemployment, fully furloughed, or self-employed without a job for three months or more) during the pandemic than other working-age adults in general. Furthermore, younger respondents working in sectors affected by social distancing restrictions (arts, hospitality, and non-food retail) experienced higher joblessness than those working in less affected industries.
These findings reveal young people’s different employment paths during the Covid-19 pandemic and how some changes are linked to poor mental health. Furthermore, they illustrate how worklessness has manifested among other younger individuals and emphasize the significance of supporting those most disadvantaged in these circumstances.
Socialization
Socialization and friendships are fundamental in in ones social development and strongly linked to mental health (Chan & Poulin, 2007). Furthermore, they enhance the quality of life for young people as well.
To better comprehend how COVID-19 affects young people’s socialization, this study conducted qualitative interviews with subjects from Ethiopia, Jordan, and Palestine during May and June 2020 using a videoconferencing platform.
Participants discussed their feelings and perspectives regarding social life and friendships during the pandemic, particularly how lockdown and isolation restrictions had affected them.
Additionally, they reported how vital socializing with peers was for their well-being and mental health. They expressed a desire for more time spent with friends and missing out on social activities, teachers, and other adults.
Young people who have experienced trauma, such as violence at home or school, often struggle with new stressors and difficulties. They may seclude themselves and find scape in bad habits, studies show young people have developed an unhealthy relationship with addicting situations, such as watching youjizz and other adult channels, which distorts their view on sex and healthy relationships. As a result, they may feel overwhelmed or even depressed but lack insight into how best to respond.
Many countries implemented social distancing and isolation restrictions during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting children’s ability to maintain friendships – an essential aspect of social development. Therefore, it is critical to comprehend this impact and how it will shape their socialization in the future.
Young people are resilient and will overcome these difficulties. However, it will take some time for them to regain their sense of self, confidence, and motivation; therefore, they need support and guidance as they navigate life’s ups and downs.
Mental health
Young people are particularly vulnerable to mental health issues. This is because they may lack the capacity or awareness of needing assistance and are likelier to ‘hide their feelings’ rather than seek professional help. This could lead to severe problems down the line.
During COVID-19, anxiety and depression symptoms have significantly increased for many young adults. The peak of mental health problems occurred during the first months of the pandemic and lessened later but did not completely disappear. Furthermore, suicidal thoughts and substance use among young adults were significantly higher during this time (KFF analysis of Household Pulse Survey data).
Mental health and well-being for the youth is a significant issue, as are the demands for mental health services generally. Unfortunately, these issues will continue to worsen due to a lack of resources in many countries.
In the United States, young people face additional obstacles to receiving health care – particularly those without insurance. With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing, it is critical to continue investing in mental health and substance use care through insurance coverage expansions and more telehealth-based services.
Furthermore, young people are increasingly calling and using mental health hotlines, particularly youth-specific ones. These support services offer emergency assistance and should be sustained.