Covid 19 and students' mental health by BooksbyMbali

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We are living in a world so upside down and the virus is taking a toll on young people’s mental health The purpose of this pocket book is to create awareness of the effects imposed by covid 19 on student’s mental health. It also aims at helping students cope in this pandemic and work towards achieving their dreams.

It also has tips for parents and teachers on how they can support students.

The covid 19 pandemic is a first of its kind, it has created chaos in the world, and it has impacted the young and the old. The pandemic has however, mostly taken a toll on young minds through schools’ closure. Covid 19 has affected students in many aspects, we will discuss a few.

Social and emotional aspects Students were more worried about being a load to others because of covid 19 infection rather than of being alone and separated from everyone due to the pandemic. Some students stay with the elderly at home, of which they are more susceptible to complications from the virus infection, students experienced the burden of 7

being a possible cause of infection of elderly people in their homes. Students couldn’t go out to play freely without worrying about catching the various and bringing it home. Students like to be free, they enjoy going out with their friends so taking away that privilege affects them.

What about students with mental health issues?

Firstly let us define mental health issues. Mental health issues refers to a wide range 9

of mental health conditions that affect your mood, thinking and behavior. We are more familiar with depression and anxiety. Children already coping with mental health conditions have been particularly exposed to the changes. School routines are critical coping mechanisms for young people with mental health issues. The closing of schools 10

can result to them losing an anchor in life and they could experience a setback. When schools are closed the children may lock themselves in their rooms, refusing to eat or come out of bed. For some students battling with depression, there will be substantial hitches adjusting back to normal life when schools recommence. Students with special needs like autism spectrum disorder, are also at risk. They can 11

become frustrated and short tempered when their everyday schedules are disturbed.

School provides structure and routine to the life of a student. Following the routine of getting up at a certain time, going to classes and coming back home offers a sense of normality in their lives. The certainty of knowing that after the Mathematics’ class 12

follows an English period allows the student’s brain to concentrate on academic content. Behavior expectations and academic performance are known and familiar. When schools closed for lock down all of a sudden, students lost structure and routine.

Friendships

For most students schools is not just about academics, it is also about social relations. Many friendships started with sitting next to each other in class or taking the same bus to school. 14

With the measures taken to keep safe from the virusfriendships may have faded. Peer groups are an imperative source of support for young people, so being away from their friends; students lack a vital source of support in handling stresses caused by the pandemic. The closing of schools detached students from more than classrooms, friends and extra-curricular activities but it 15

has also disengaged them off from teachers and other school personnel whose doors and empathetic advice helped them build self-esteem, navigate the pressure of adolescence and survive with trauma.

Uncertainty

The sudden and often unpredictable changes we have experienced during the pandemic may have led to many children and young people feeling uncertain. 17

There is hesitation for students about what the year will look like. There is still no clear path forward about how this pandemic may progress and when life will bear a resemblance to some version of normal again. Schools may open then suddenly close again because of lockdown. The academic year may be planned but then another wave may hit the world and that

would cause everything to stand still.

The effects of social isolation

Research shows that prolonged periods of loneliness can deteriorate mental and physical health outcomes over time, leading to depression. Social isolations has indeed taken a toll on young people. The closing of schools doesn’t help either since students face the uncertainty of when is school going to open again, when can we see our friends again, the hesitation can be very 20

frustrating to the young minds. The structure of life- what we used to call normal has disappeared almost completely within a blink of an eye.

Some students learn well with a teacher in front of them. They may not be able to learn on their own thus they may fall behind. By the time they go back to school they are behind 21

other students and probably the teachers will not have time to go back because they are already behind syllabus. It may be difficult for those students to catch up with the others. On another note students were not afforded the opportunity to finish all the learning they would have accomplished in a usual year. Disengaging from school may have caused students to lose the knowledge and skills they had attained 22

through schooling. Most students were promoted to the next grade, which means they were unprepared so thus missing key building blocks of knowledge that are compulsory for success. It is not only academic understanding these students may miss out on. They are the jeopardy of finishing school lacking skills, manners and mentality to succeed at tertiary or in the workforce. School 23

doesn’t only teach on academics but it also help with character development and also provides extra-curricular activities. So with less time spent on school and teachers under pressure to finish the syllabus there won’t be time to focus on other activities other than learning. The destruction imposed by the pandemic goes beyond academics. Students didn’t just lose academic learning, 24

some lost their family members; others had caregivers who lost their jobs and sources of income. Regardless of the type of loss, numerous students will be undergoing this with a sense of grief. The way that young people respond to those feelings of loss and grief will differ widely- some may seem sad or withdrawn, others may appear irritable.

Among students who complete high school, they may not be able to fulfil their dreams of going to tertiary. For those who come from less poor backgrounds, they were hoping to get jobs to pay for their tertiary costs, like applying for a start. To read more about this get the book “Beyond the cover” it talks more about life after high school, the challenges

experienced and preparing for tertiary.

Challenging experiences at home

Social distance measures can result in social isolation in an abusive home, with abuse likely intensified during this time of economic uncertainty and stress.

Many students already experience challenging home environments. To some students school was their safe haven away from these home experiences. These 28

experiences may include but not limited to:  Domestic violence  Abuse or neglect  Family conflict  Hunger and lack of nutrition  Financial worries due to loss of employment for guardians

Support for students

Coping tips for students

Support groups Students should form support groups where they can share their experiences with their peers. This will help them see that they are not alone in their situations and they can deal 30

with it together by supporting each other. They can also share different ways of coping with the situation at hand.

Cultivate resilience Do not underestimate your resilience. People often overestimate how much negative events will impact their lives, and underestimate their ability to cope. You have probably overcome many 31

obstacles to get where you are today, have confidence in your ability to get through this pandemic.

Stay informed but observe your media intake It is vital to keep up-to-date about health and safety news especially in this pandemic. However, frequently staying on media can cause you to feel more anxious and less in 32

control. Try limiting your media consumption.

Socialize Now more than ever, it’s important to take care of your social wellness. Social distancing can feel very isolating but it doesn’t mean you are alone. Call or video call your friends and family members in order to stay connected. 33

Find meaning in your life We all have that one thing that gives us meaning, fulfilment and purpose in our lives. Use this time to find that thing and find a way to connect with your purpose.

Accept and adapt Hoping that the situation will change and we will go back to our normal lives will not help 34

you as a student, what you need to do is to accept the situation as it is and try to adapt. Residing on the past and wondering about the future can only stress you more.

Set small controllable goals If you feel nervous about going back to school after the lockdown, try setting minor manageable goals. Going 35

back to school can be frustrating especially if you were closed for months. To ease the transition, create micro manageable goals for the first few days.

Prioritize your mental health Communicate if you are feeling too strained, anxious or depressed. Speak to your parents, teachers or school

counsellors, they will help you cope with the transition.

Participate in class If you are worried that you may have fallen behind after months without face- to- face learning, prioritize being active and involved in class this time around. Also do not miss class, it is said that excellent attendance is key to closing learning gaps. Show up every 37

day committed to giving your best shot and having an inquisitive mindset.

How can teachers support students? As teachers and school personnel you are now aware of the complex and traumatic experiences that your pupils

may be dealing with as the result of the pandemic. Stepping up to support students is essential during this challenging time, whether they are learning online or they are back at school. It should be more than simply making sure that they learn from lesson plans and score good marks. We should be concerned about their social, emotional and mental health needs. 39

Differentiate by the level of need and capability Teachers have long understood the value of modifying curriculums and classroom environments to the needs of different students. Certain groups of students have suffered greater setbacks than others. When schools reopen, these students need to take priority.

Focus resources on students experiencing the utmost challenges Distant learning is especially tough on students who also have to deal with learning disabilities, economic adversity, or unstable home environments. Many of these students will struggle to thrive in a secluded environment where they lack guidance, emotional support and access to technology. 41

Even when schools are closed, it would be a great idea to create a physical environment where these students can learn. Well there is a challenge on how to do this without putting students and their families at risk or without breaking lockdown rules. Prioritizing the small number of students most in need of inperson instructions makes it possible to have smaller class 42

sizes thus making it easier for students to follow covid 19 rules.

Be open-minded Different students within the same class will have different experiences of the pandemic. They will also have varying levels of coping skills and resilience in dealing with those experiences. You need to have an open mind about what 43

pupils are going through, how they will be coping with it and what sustenance will they need.

Remember you are not alone Some of the challenges students face will be overwhelming to you as a teacher. Supporting the students may become challenging on its own thus you need to draw support and 44

guidance from your colleagues. Your team is wider than just your colleagues from the same school, there are support groups too.

Do not be quick to dismiss concerning behavior When something momentous happens, it can be enticing to perceive the whole thing in that context. However we shouldn’t disregard signs that 45

something more serious is going on. These signs may include:  Angry outbursts that seems out of character  Secretive behavior  Tiredness lasting longer than expected  A substantial change in weight  A significant change in mood that persists for more than a few days

Learning might have to wait It is true that you are running after time but what is the use of continuing with learning while students are left behind. Pupils may not be able to learn at the same pace as before the closing of schools. Disrupted ability to focus be a common experience for young people who have experienced trauma. Finding time to work through their experiences and plan for what they need in 47

order to be ready to learn could be useful.

Listen Trauma may be an intense word to use but the pandemic has been a shared experience of trauma for most individuals. There is a need to process what has happened, to grieve the losses they have suffered and to work together with the teachers to find a way to move 48

forward. Teachers will need to support those students by actively listening, understanding and responding in appropriate ways. Some students will need counselling to cope with everything that has happened so schools should provide counselling for students.

How can parents help students? It is not only the teachers who should support students, their caregivers too.

Show interest on their studies As a parent you should pay attention to your children’s studies. Ask them how the online learning is going, if they 50

are coping. Motivate your children to stay on top of their game. For more tips on how parents can motivate their children to do better at school get a copy of the motivational book “Beyond the cover”.

Make yourself available as much as possible Parents should create a relaxed space for their children to talk to them, maybe go for a 51

walk together, or go to the mall, there may be less pressure in these settings than when sitting face- to- face. Check on them regularly, do not assume that they are okay because they seem so. Ask them how things are going, how they are feeling about being back at school. However, you should be careful not to impose, but be gently with them and let them

know you are there for them if they need to talk.

Coping strategies These are what you use when feeling stressed. The pandemic has also been hard on you as a parent too, so share with your children how you cope with the situation. Acknowledge that it is normal to feel anxious about going back to school. Encourage 53

them to concentrate on the present and avoid thinking too far ahead. Tell them to focus on what they can control rather than what they have no control over.

Be a role model Children follow the footsteps of their parents, they will react to the pandemic the same way you do. Therefore, monitor

your emotions and be a good example to your children.

Be aware of your children’s mental health Most children will manage well with the support of parents, even if showing signs of anxiety such as difficulty sleeping or concentration. As a parent you should watch your child’s behavior to see if they are not showing symptoms of 55

depression and anxiety. If they are seek help as soon as possible.

Teachers, parents and students should work hand in hand towards the brighter future of students. For more tips on how these three groups can collaborate, get the book “Beyond the

cover”. It is a motivational book targeting students, Teachers and parents. It assures students that they can achieve their dreams despite their backgrounds and despite any situation, it also give tips for parents and teachers for motivating the students. To get yourself a copy of “Beyond the cover” you can contact 78362022/ 79425404 57

or send an email at mbalinhlane25@gmail.com or Facebook at Mbali Nomty Masuku