We’ve reached the one-year mark of life since we hit “pandemic mode.” Most of us believed the lockdown was only going to be for a few months, at the most. Depending on where you live, that lockdown has been in effect in varying degrees for 12 months now. Many people have lost jobs, homes, and – most tragically – family members. One year feels almost too soon to look back and reflect. We’re not yet through it, and folks are still struggling. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Vaccines are being dispersed at an increasing rate every day. Doctors are learning more about the virus and how to treat it. And we are all becoming experts at keeping our hands and the surfaces we touch spotless!
I have been fortunate. No one in my family has gotten sick. I work for the government, so my job has continued. We’ve had to modify how we do business, but I’ve never been out of work, and I’ve been able to pay my bills. I don’t have young children, so I haven’t had to juggle remote learning with working at home. I am grateful for these things. But I do see how hard this is for young families and younger people in general.
A recent study from Psychiatry Research notes high levels of depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms in young adults. Some psychologists are quick to note that this age group (18-30) had a higher incidence of mental health issues even before the pandemic, but they admit the pandemic has exacerbated them. The Psychiatry Research study participants noted higher levels of loneliness and “COVID-19-specific worry,” as well as a “low tolerance for distress.”
Children and teens are experiencing their share of problems, too. The pandemic has necessitated sweeping changes to the way kids learn, play, and socialize. The closure of schools and the cessation of extracurricular activities means that kids no longer have the same access. Their worlds have been turned upside down, and, for some, it has been devastating. There is an increased risk of depression when teens experience tumultuous emotions, even during “normal” times. During the teen years, peers are what keep most kids grounded. We’re all social beings but, for teens, that is even truer. And less access to their friends can have overwhelming consequences. Substance abuse among teens is, once again, on the rise. Depression and anxiety are often cited as the impetus for drug and alcohol use.
My daughter has managed to keep life reasonably regular for my grandkids. But, as she has pointed out, my grandson (who will be two in April) won’t remember a time before COVID-19. And my granddaughter, although a happy and well-adjusted kid, has moments of melancholy. My daughter and her husband were in the middle of buying a new house when the lockdown went into effect. They moved on April 1 of last year. Their new home is gorgeous, with a beautiful yard complete with a swimming pool, rock waterfall, and slide. Most kids would love to live there. But my granddaughter recently said to her mom that she missed their old house. After some digging, my daughter realized that my granddaughter associated the old house with more happiness. She didn’t understand that the pandemic changed everything. She just knew that, after they moved, school closed, mom was working from home full time, everyone was more stressed out, and she didn’t get to play with her friends.
There are ways we can deal with minor mood changes:
- Limit your exposure to news
- Take a break from social media when possible
- Stay connected with friends and loved ones, even if it’s just with a quick text every few days
- Eat well, drink water, get some sleep, and get outside and move.
But how do we know when our children (or us) may need to see a mental health professional?
Here are a few situations that may warrant a call for help:
- If fears, worries, and anxieties seem excessive.
- If there has been social withdrawal.
- If there are drastic (unintentional) changes in eating and sleeping.
- If there are frequent feelings of anger.
- If there is a growing inability to cope with daily problems and activities.
- If there is evidence of substance abuse.
- In children, if there is hyperactivity, that is not normal for that child.
- Persistent nightmares or unsettling dreams.
- Unusual aggression.
These signs are a few indicators that professional help may be beneficial. If you don’t know who to call, a quick google search for “where can I find mental health help in my area” will give you useful starting points. If there is any indication of suicidal ideation, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(1-800-273-8255).
I’ll leave you with something I read online and now think about when I’m having a dark day:
“On particularly rough days when I’m sure I can’t possibly endure, I like to remind myself that my track record for getting through bad days so far is 100%...and that’s pretty good.”
TRICIA VLASAK is a mother, grandparent, and wife. She works in law enforcement when she isn’t writing about parenting, hiking with her dogs, or going on adventures. To read more of Tricia's article, click here.