Global Impact of Covid-19 on Mental Health of Adolescents

For the past two years the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone. Many people from all over the world have been cooped up in their homes, constantly worrying if every cold-like symptom they experience is the virus, and living in fear of the rising death toll COVID-19. These changes brought on by the global pandemic can have a major effect on everyone's mental health, especially towards children and adolescents. According to researchers at the University of North Carolina, there were increases in adolescent depression but few changes in anxiety, irritability, and self-injury in the first six months of the pandemic (Andrea Hussong et al., 2021). However, as the pandemic continued, there were

increases in anxiety, depression, and stress in youth. Mental health was already an issue for children and adolescents all over the world before the pandemic even began, and the pandemic has only exacerbated these problems. Another study conducted by Nicole Racine and other researchers, found that prevalence rates for depression and anxiety had increased as the pandemic went on. These differences were found in rates of depression and anxiety symptoms for older adolescents (Benton, 2021). This shows a clear correlation between Covid-19 and the increasing deterioration of mental health.

It is important for children and adolescents to have peer relationships that allow them to interact with each other and grow as individuals. The pandemic has forced everyone to remain isolated from one another, and as a result adolescents may face a greater risk of negative mental outcomes. One way to combat the declining mental health in children and adolescents in the world is by increasing awareness of the issue globally through social media platforms. We can also provide free counseling and potential treatment for children and teens in schools.

Works Cited

Cohen, Zsofia P., et al. “The Impact of COVID-19 on Adolescent Mental Health: Preliminary Findings From a Longitudinal Sample of Healthy and At-Risk Adolescents.” Frontiers, Frontiers, 1 Jan. 1AD, www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2021.622608/full.

Richter, Felix. “Infographic: Covid-19's Widespread Impact On Mental Health.” Statista Infographics, 7 Aug. 2020,www.statista.com/chart/22503/share-of-adults-who-experienced-mental-health-problems-during-the-pandemic/.

Tami D. Benton, MD. “Addressing the Global Crisis of Child and Adolescent Mental Health.” JAMA Pediatrics, JAMA Network, 1 Nov. 2021, jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2782801.

“The Impact of COVID-19 on Adolescents' Mental Health.” College of Arts & Sciences, 30 Nov. 2021, college.unc.edu/2021/11/covid-mental-health/#:~