WHY WE ARE MAKING THIS POST
Given the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, the current situation of returning students back to UCI on January 31st, 2022, has given rise to unprecedented times.
With uncertainty, comes effects on mental health. Thus, being conscious of mental health struggles during this transition back to in-person is essential as mental health is wealth.
The Effect of COVID-19 on Mental Health Among College Students
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a lot of uncertainty, leading to effects on one’s mental health.
Mayo clinic found from survey evidence that there is “a major increase in the number of U.S. adults who report symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia during the pandemic, compared with surveys before the pandemic.” In addition, “the current world context of social distancing, stay‐at‐home mandates, online or canceled college classes, fear of contagion, and uncertainty of the future due to COVID‐19 puts additional stress on students’ mental well‐being as well as colleges’ capacity to provide emotional support for their students” (Benjet 2020).
For these reasons, the task of returning to normalcy proves to be daunting. Not only do students face abrupt transition after being online for the first four weeks of the quarter, but there is so much room for the uncertainty of what will occur after transition: their future, health, and even interpersonal relationships.
WAYS TO COPE DURING UNIVERSITY TRANSITION
Be kind to yourself
Give yourself compassion and empathy in how you may feel about certain things. It’s okay if you still may be struggling or adjusting! Everyone is at their own pace and journey.
Be open to communication
Speak to people about how you may feel and listen to also how they may feel. Reach out to others and make sure to reach out when you may need help or support!
Feel what you need to feel!
You feel what you need to feel. Don't invalidate your feelings. It’s good to understand, “It’s okay to not be okay”.
Set a new routine
Create a new routine to your own liking to adjust to the changes. That may be taking time to do meditation in the morning, eating lunch at a specific time, or giving yourself space and time to relax.
Take breathers and breaks when necessary
Listen to your body! When tired, sleep. When hungry, eat. And when burnt out, relax. Take breaks and breathers when you feel overwhelmed or stressed with what's going on around you! Take care of yourself, first and foremost.
FINAL WORD:
We beg of you to please prioritize yourself during these tough times. We know that there are sometimes times where one believes it’s impossible to prioritize their well-being and decide to cut corners during these troubling times. We hope that y’all are more kind to yourselves and take at least 10 minutes of your time for self-care. Although we would like for you to dedicate even more time for yourselves, even these 10 minutes are enough!
Other than that, we hope you have a swift transition in your education journey !
Love <3- the WISE PAC Committee
REFERENCES:
Benjet, C. (2020, June 16). Stress management interventions for college students in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical psychology: A publication of the Division of Clinical Psychology of the American Psychological Association, e12353. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/cpsp.12353
Mayo Clinic. (2021, November 23). COVID-19 and your mental health. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/mental-health-covid-19/art-20482731.
University of Michigan: Department of Psychiatry. (2020, May 4). Coping with the COVID-19 pandemic as a college student. https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/psychiatry/michigan-psychiatry-resources-covid-19/adults-specific-resources/coping-covid-19-pandemic-college-student
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