Mental Health in Quarantine

By Aala Basheir and Rebecca Michaelli

In the midst of a pandemic with little structure, many students have expressed finding it challenging to adjust to the new normal. In addition to the challenges posed by new ways of learning, mental health and wellbeing can often be overlooked.

“There’s nothing normal about this situation right now,” Ivryel Reed ‘21 said, “I had a concert I was looking forward to in June, I had bought my tickets and everything.”

On March 11th, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, and two days later, President Donald Trump declared a state of emer-

ART BY EMILY KUCERA gency in the United States. the United States. The cumula-

“Everyone started talking tive COVID-19 positivity rate about Corona. I honestly didn’t has reached 12.79% in Johnson think it was that big of a deal be- County, Iowa. cause I “I’m really e x pected “I’m not really hanging out with people until a COVID vaccine, you don’t super paranoid about us to handle know how other people are handling getting coronait a lot it, or if they’re wearing masks or virus. better than washing their hands.” I like to get what IVRYEL REED outside has CITY HIGH SENIOR of the hap - house but, the pened,” Iya Alexander ‘22 said. only time I really go anywhere is

According to the Center on the weekends, maybe going for Disease Control, the total to the mall or something,” Reed number of COVID-19 cases said. “Besides that, I’m not really rose to a high of 7.2 million in hanging out with people until a COVID vaccine, you don’t know how other people are handling it, or if they’re wearing masks or washing their hands.”

While many find that it’s important to stay updated and informed on current events, and what’s taking place in the world, a constant stream of news can often feel overwhelming. For some, nonstop information can add to anxiety and stress.

“In the beginning, [news about COVID-19] was all I looked at. Looking back on it, one of my biggest triggers for my anxiety is watching the news. In hindsight, maybe I shouldn’t have been doing that so often, because I would wake up, check the news, and continue to check it throughout the day,” Reed

said. “I definitely stay away from [watching the news] now. I mean it’s hard to avoid the news all together, but I definitely mute topics and do my best to not look at it as often.”

Social media has acted as a news source for some of the population. Many platforms including Instagram and Tik Tok have included a disclaimer, encouraging people to check reliable sources for their information regarding the Coronavirus. This can be found when using the hashtag “COVID-19”, “corona” or “coronavirus”.

To start off the school year, the Iowa City Community School District required all students to attend virtual classes for the first three weeks, in addition to pausing all school-related activities. In-person school and activities resumed with the hybrid model, which is a combination of online and in-person classes.

“I think the thing that makes it so hard this year is that we’ve never done online school before. The teachers don’t really understand how much work they’re giving out, and how much the workload affects mental health.” Reed said.

Barb Anderson works as an educational program consultant in the Bureau of Vendor Strategies Support at the Iowa Department of Education. Her job focuses on the important factors that are critical to learning, but aren’t necessarily academic in nature.

“We have high anxiety, and have had lots of traumatic events occurring throughout the summer. Some of the most vulnerable among us are the most highly impacted,” Anderson said.

Teaching and participating in virtual classes require a certain level of technical proficiency. Hosting Zoom classes, and creating and using online platforms is new for many teachers and students.

“A lot of [my teachers] are not very good at technology. They kind of make the assignments difficult to find,” Rigby Templemen ‘23 said. “They also assign a ing from the teachers.” ton of homework because I think According to the World that since we’re not in school Health Organization, depression they [feel as if they] have to make and anxiety are in the top ten up for that some way.” leading causes of illness and dis-

Online learning is unfamiliar ability among adolescents aged for most students, being some- 15–19 years. Anxiety is the sixth thing they have never done be- for ages 10–14 years. They also fore. For some, the new sched- state that schoolwork and attenule and dance work - “I think the thing that makes it so can be load can feel hard this year is that we’ve nevaffected by over whelm ing. er done online school before. The teachers don’t really understand these emo tional “Different how much work they’re giving out, disorders, students and how much the workload affects a n d learn differmental health.” that social ently, IVRYEL REED with but I CITY HIGH SENIOR drawal think can add most students can agree that all to feelings of isolation and loneof the assignments [should be] liness. on one page and would make it “Not being able to see the very clear,” Templemen said. people that I [normally] see every

Aside from the workload, com- day when I was at school, people munication between students that I don’t really talk to outside and teachers has become more of school, has been weird. Those important, but logistically diffi- were really big social connections cult. Many online students have that I had,” Alexander said. “Not found having it more difficult “Not being able to see the people that those social to work I [normally] see every day when I was connecone on o n e at school, people that I don’t really tions is some with talk to outside of school, has been thing their teachers weird. Those were really big social that’s very, because of limconnections that I had.” very differited IYA ALEXANDER ent.” time on CITY HIGH JUNIOR Zoom classes.

“Mental health is something When dealing with mental that a lot of people are struggling health, it is not uncommon to with. I told my teachers straight feel discouraged. According to up that I have anxiety disor- the National Center for Biotechder and it’s going to impact my nology Information, social stigschool performance,” Reed said. ma surrounding mental health “I just emailed a teacher yester- can prevent people from seekday saying ‘I’m overwhelmed, ing treatment in fear of being can I please turn in this assign- labeled. Internalized stigma can ment late?’ He was really under- cause people to avoid their own standing about it. I think the feelings and also lead to denial of plus side of this is that there’s treatment. gonna be a lot more understand- “If I had a broken arm, I wouldn’t be afraid to talk about it. So why would I be if I had a chemical imbalance, or if my brain isn’t functioning how it should be because of depression? This question is one of the powerful things that the student voice asked when talking about reducing stigma,” Anderson said.

While social stigma has been declining in the past few years, the NCBI states that the best way to overcome mental health stigma is working one on one with a mental health professional.

“We have a lot of work to do in education across the board with adults and young people in reducing stigma. If we can create new norms, based in science, and help people understand [mental health] in a holistic way, that there is no shame in seeking help, we might save a life,” Anderson said.

Feeling supported, and having trusted friends and adults, is helpful in adjusting to this new learning environment. Students may find that mental health should be prioritized more than it has been in previous learning contexts.

“We know in terms of our brain research, that in order for anyone to be able to learn, they have to first feel safe. Creating environments where people feel safe and connected allows for that to happen,” Anderson said.

The Iowa Crisis Chat is a nonprofit organization that provides support for people struggling with emotional crises. The Iowa Crisis Chat is available for contact seven days a week, and can be reached by phone or chat, 24 hours a day.

“I’ve always been an advocate for mental health but now that I’m going through my own things, I think it’s very important that we destigmatize mental health in students,” Reed said.

If you or anyone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts or impulses, call the National Suicide Prevention Line at 800273-8255.