Teen Mental Well-Being During Coronavirus
School, activities, life has changed because of COVID-19. Many teens are attending school from home, logging in to online classes, some for the first time when their school closed to flatten the curve. It’s hard not being able to see and talk to friends and teachers daily like we did pre-COVID. All these changes can negatively impact wellness and mental health. UNICEF offered up a few tips for how teens can protect their mental health during a time of great change.
Recognize that whatever you are feeling is completely normal. This is a time of great uncertainty and a lot of change. If you are feeling nervous, that is completely normal. If you’re feeling sad, that’s also legit. These feelings, along with confusion, fear and anger are all valid right now. But, if those negative emotions hang around for too long, or if they’re getting in the way of managing your life, it’s a good idea to reach out to a doctor or therapist for help. We have a whole blog post here about how to get long term mental health care during social distancing.
Create distractions for yourself. Most teens are still getting daily school assignments, but it’s important to have other activities you enjoy. Maybe painting, writing, reading, playing a video game, or myriad other things. The important thing, according to UNICEF, is to have activities that you, “can do something about.” There are so many things we can’t control so bringing that balance is crucial.
Stay connected with your friends. We can’t risk going out and hanging out with our friends in person, but it’s important that you stay in touch with people who are important to you. Whether you’re talking on the phone, doing a one-on-one video chat, or a large group chat, it’s important to keep in touch. Just talking to someone who gets you can really help your mood and your mental health.
Be kind to yourself and others. Life is changing and we are all adjusting at the pace that works for us. If you’re not staying on top of everything like before, it’s okay. You’re not the only one. Ease off on the self-pressure and take time to treat yourself. The same goes for those around you. Try to be kind and patient with your friends and family.
We are in unprecedented times, and people are making plans as they can to make the best of it. Feeling anxious or sad is completely normal, but your well-being and mental health are worth taking care of to avoid a crisis.