The Effects of Covid-19 on The Mental Health of Students

 

Credit: Ponomariova_Maria/iStock

    Over the past few years, covid-19 has played a significant role in every person's life in the United States and other countries. The Coronavirus quickly spread, causing a mass pandemic and shutting down life as we know it. Just like many others, students were also affected by the pandemic. The pandemic greatly influenced students' mental health and everyday life. 

Credit: Lyle Muller

The issue of mental health has been an ongoing problem for schools and universities to deal with, and the pandemic has influenced and significantly impacted students' mental health. The number of students suffering from mental health has been on the rise for the past decade, and covid has made the issue significantly worse. Mental health has affected
students, making them feel hopeless and overwhelmed, and even considerably impacted students, with some reporting anxiety and depression.

Covid-19 Impact

A study was conducted to understand the effects of covid-19 on student mental health. The study used an anonymous online survey method where pre-registered nursing students would report their mental health status. The findings of the study report that over half of the 516 students have had mental health concerns, and Covid-19 has impacted 90% of students. The researchers concluded that the pandemic impacted pre-nursing students' mental health.

Covid-19 has had an impact on all individuals. Students' mental health has been an ongoing issue for over a decade. Still, due to the pandemic, students who experienced the pandemic have been showing higher rates of stress, anxiety, and depression. Almost half of college students experience mental health problems, a significant issue that needs to be considered. By spreading awareness, one can shine a light on the subject, which helps students and those who suffer from mental health issues.  

Credit: Chloe Cushman

Personally Affected

The pandemic affected many people; some lost their jobs, others suffered from physical and mental health issues, and some even lost loved ones. Throughout the pandemic, many lost motivation and drive. They felt lost and scared, not knowing what was coming next. Personally, the pandemic affected my motivation and drive, making me feel suffocated between four walls all day, every day. Not being able to attend classes and schools, not being able to see loved ones, and not knowing what was coming next. The mental space I was in at the time of the pandemic affected my motivation; examples of this would be attending classes and work. Due to my lack of motivation also affected my graduation year; in other words, instead of graduation in 2023, I will be graduating in 2024. Covid-19 had a significant impact on the lives of many both physically and mentally. 

Community Involvement

Sarkis Karakour

Angela Biramian

Taleen Amirkhanian

References 

Usher AM, K., Jackson, D., Massey, D., Wynaden, D., Grant, J., West, C., McGough, S., Hopkins, M., Muller, A., Mather, C., Byfield, Z., Smith, Z., Ngune, I., & Wynne, R. (2023). The mental health impact of COVID‐19 on pre‐registration nursing students in Australia: Findings from a national cross‐sectional study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 79(2), 581–592. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15478

  McIntosh, C. E. & Stone, G. E. (2022). Introduction to the special issue: How COVID‐19 has affected students’ health, achievement, and mental health. Psychology in the Schools, 60(5), 1325–1328. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22820

Li, F. (2022). Impact of COVID-19 on the lives and mental health of children and adolescents. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 925213–925213. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.925213

  Storrie, K., Ahern, K., & Tuckett, A. (2010). A systematic review: Students with mental health problems-A growing problem. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 16(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-172X.2009.01813.x

 Son, C., Hegde, S., Smith, A., Wang, X., & Sasangohar, F. (2020). Effects of COVID-19 on College Students’ Mental Health in the United States: Interview Survey Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(9), e21279–e21279. https://doi.org/10.2196/21279