Back to School: Student's Mental Health in a Pandemic

OUR MESSAGE FROMÂ SANDRA, TALIA, AND CIARA.

Dear reader,

After six months of social distancing, quarantining and learning from new spaces, many changes have been made whether it be a new hair look, clothing-style, and most importantly, changes to our mental health. Six months of extreme isolation for us, Gen Z's, is threatening. Not to sound dramatic, but social-distancing is way out of our comfort zone. We feel you. To make matters worse, we have to go back to school, virtually, in-person, or for some, a mix of both. We have to go from the long hours on Tik Tok, Instagram, Netflix, we indulged in during this optionless summer to a new classroom experience.

Adjusting to this new environment will no doubt be a challenge. Going back to school after summer has never been fun, but usually we have the positives of checking back in with our friends and meeting new teachers. Going back in the midst of a pandemic has made these usually positive aspects of school nonexistent or very different. However, we still have to study for standardized tests, maintain a good GPA and prepare for college applications.

After a survey got 50 responses from students asked questions on social media usage, anxiety and connections with friends. 94% of our respondents had increased social media usage since March, the start of the pandemic in the US. 68% of our respondents reported a worse mental state since the beginning of the pandemic, but the responses were varied across our 6-point scale. Everyone has a different experience with mental health, yet we hope to address some ways remote school and the pandemic can affect it.

This magazine was designed by students for students. We have compiled a list of resources, articles, and stories of everything you need to know before the upcoming school year. We hope you take something useful from this magazine and wish you all the best in the upcoming school year.

SIncerely, Dear GlobalGirls & Each Mind

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Each Mind

Each Mind

eachmind.org

Survey Responses What model is your school adopting in the fall?

You stayed connected with your friends through quarantine.

30

strongly agree agree

Hybrid 40%

20

neutral

All remote 54%

disagree

10

strongly disagree

All in-person 6%

You view social media as...

How anxious are you about potentially returning to school?

Level of anxiety high

middle

low

0

Positive

Negative

Since COVID-19, do you feel more ...

Lonely and isolated?

No 30%

30

Yes 70%

20

Fulfilled and happy?

Yes 36%

10 No 64%

0

All-In Person

Hybrid

All Remote

Results from Each Mind x Dear Global Girls. Back to School Mental Health Survey. August, 2020.

Survey Responses What social media platforms have negatively or positively impacted your mental health?

Tik Tok and Instagram were the main responses for both positive and negative effects on mental health. Respondents said that Instagram is good for meeting new people, but can foster self-comparison.

Others responded that Tik Tok, ws a great platform for community building and entertainment, but others deemed it toxic and discriminatory.

What are you worried or excited about in regards to school in the fall?

Many people described their virtual relationship as exhausting and pointless, commenting that it was difficult to socialize. In comparison, others responded saying that they were performing socially distanced activities, playing video games, and holding movie nights with friends.

What opportunities and challenges did you have in staying connected with friends?

Many people described staying connected virtually as exhausting and pointless, commenting that it was difficult to reach out.

Others responded that they were doing socially distanced activities, playing video games and holding movie nights to interact with friends.

= positive = negative

COV1D -19 and Mental Health Katelyn Howard

Background of Covid 19 For the past six months or so, the world has been ravaged by a global pandemic caused by COVID-19. Current preventative measures against the virus include frequent and thorough handwashing,

covering

coughs,

wearing

masks

and

practicing

social

distancing.

While

social

distancing and quarantining are necessary, this isolation has been detrimental to one’s mental health. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll, nearly half of all Americans reported that the coronavirus crisis is harming their mental health. A federal emergency hotline reported a 1,000%

increase

in

April

compared

to

the

same

time

in

2019.

TalkSpace,

an

online

therapy

company, reported a 65% jump in clients since mid-February. According to the majority of their transcribed therapy sessions and text messages, coronavirus-related anxiety dominated patients’ concerns. From May 2020, about one third of all Americans have signs of clinical depression or anxiety, a rate twice as high as before the pandemic.

How Isolation Affects Mental Health Healthcare workers, who have been on the front lines of the pandemic, have been seriously impacted by the mental health effects of the situation COVID-19 has caused.

According to

surveys, healthcare workers mental health was already declining over the previous decade. Now with the public health crisis, mental illness in the healthcare industry has skyrocketed. According to a JANA Network Open article published in March, preliminary research from China found that of the 1,200 healthcare workers surveyed, 50% showed symptoms of depression and 45% showed symptoms of anxiety. More than

⅓

surveyed reported insomnia and around 70% said they were

distressed. Nurses, women, healthcare workers who had direct contact with COVID-19 patients, and

those

in

Wuhan,

China,

the

epicenter

of

China’s

outbreak,

reported

the

most

severe

symptoms. Another big issue within the healthcare industry is rising suicide rates, which have increased since COVID-19. One victim was Dr. Lorena Breen, the medical director of a New York City emergency department that had been overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients committed suicide at 49 years old in April. She had no prior history of mental illness.

Anxiety of Contracting Covid-19 Elevated rates of depression, suicide, and burnout have plagued the medical community for a long time. Studies from the 1990s found that the risk for suicide among physicians was higher than the general population, for males it was 40% higher and for female physicians 130% higher. This year with a public health emergency, there is a whole new amount of stressors healthcare workers have to face. Due to an uncoordinated and delayed governmental response, healthcare workers are worried about not having enough PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) to protect themselves, running out of ventilators for patients or having to deny care for those that are dying. Since May, over 63,000 medical health professionals have fallen ill and over 600 have died. Many have isolated themselves by sleeping in hotels or staying in the house by themselves to protect family members

from

catching

the

virus.

Those

that

returned

home

each

night

worried

about

endangering their loved ones. Isolation and regret further worsens the mental state of many healthcare workers. It is important for doctors to practice self-care. Some options available to healthcare workers are evidence-based first aid workshops and virtual group events.

1.ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/front-line-doctors-face-mental-health-crisis-amid/story?id=70660931.

2.Sauer, Lauren M. “What Is Coronavirus?” What Is Coronavirus? | Johns Hopkins Medicine, n.d. http://hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus.

3.Wan, William. “The Coronavirus Pandemic Is Pushing America into a Mental Health Crisis.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 4 May 2020, washingtonpost.com/health/2020/05/04/mental-health-coronavirus.

Online Learning Katelyn Howard

What Is Online Learning?

With the upcoming school year and a raging pandemic, the question of how kids will be going back to school has been a topic of much discussion in the US. Children, teachers, and parents alike, all wish for students to be back in the classroom, yet fear for their safety. While schools in states such as Georgia have reopened, schools had to close again after cases began appearing. Most states are using virtual learning to some degree for the 2020-2021 school year, but even virtual learning has its strengths and weaknesses. Virtual learning is the safest option for back-to-school because it ensures no one is in close contact with others. Students are learning from their own home which means there can’t be spread of the coronavirus from student to student. Another positive about virtual learning is its flexibility. There may be a schedule, but you have more freedom to work at your own pace. This is definitely a plus because it gives students a choice of how to interact with the learning material. Virtual learning also allows you to learn comfortably. You are learning in your own home and you are able to wear more comfortable clothes, or even pajamas in some areas. One final positive about virtual learning is that it saves time. You don’t have to worry about transportation to and from school with virtual learning. This in turn means that you won’t need to spend as much time in the morning to get ready.

How Lack of One-On-One Interaction Affect Kids With Mental and Learning Disabilities and Parents While there are many reasons why virtual learning is such a great option, there are some drawbacks to this style of learning. A major drawback of virtual learning is the lack of one-on-one interaction with students

and

teachers.

The

beauty

of

in-person

schooling

is

actually

being

able

to

interact

with

classmates and teachers. Asking questions and engaging is much easier when in a classroom. This lack of personal connection may negatively affect how students process the material. It is especially difficult for

those

with

a

learning

disability

or

special

needs.

Students

with

ADHD,

dyslexia,

dyscalculia

or

processing deficits may not have the extra support they had when in school. Those with special needs like down syndrome or autism may have special learning plans that are difficult to carry out with virtual learning. This possible lack in learning resources can be especially draining for parents who may have to put in a lot more work to try and provide a better learning experience for their child. Another negative of virtual learning is the fact that many children don’t have wifi, a computer to work on, and/or a quiet place they can work. Not everyone is as fortunate and they might not have the tools necessary to learn virtually.

However,

many

places

are

working

to

provide

kids

with

hotspots

and/or

laptops

for

the

upcoming school year in order to combat this issue. Virtual learning also takes more self-discipline.

Students won't have their teachers right there keeping them accountable. The free schedule may lead to laziness and procrastination. It is vital for children to take their education seriously and do their best during this difficult time.

In person school allows for parents to have less distractions and focus on their

work. With many children staying home, they have to juggle their childrens’ needs with their career.

Virtual learning is definitely not always ideal, but it is essential that safety comes first.

1.Drew, Chris. "33 Pros & Cons of Online School (in 2020)." Helpful Professor. May 15, 2020. http://helpfulprofessor.com/pros-and-cons-of-online-learning/.

2.Krum, Angie.""My Daughter's Learning Disabilities Fall Between the Cracks in Google Classroom"." ADDitude. August 07, 2020. https://www.additudemag.com/online-hurdles-learning-disabilities-adhd/.

3.Sprague, Erin. "Virtual Learning Advantages and Disadvantages." Unboxed Technology. June 15, 2020. https://unboxedtechnology.com/virtual-learning-advantages-and-disadvantages/.

Mental Health and Social Media Abigail

Rommero

Social media, a form of online networking, has completely revolutionized the way we communicate with others. Social media makes it easier than ever to find old friends, make new ones, and connect with current ones.

But Could One Argue That Social Media is Actually a Negative Thing?

Of course. Just like every new creation, social media has pros and cons.

While it is an easy way to connect, in the same breath, it is a way to lie and cheat

to

gain

popularity

points

with

random

people

all

over

the

world.

Social media can create a superficial environment, where teenagers base their self worth on how many likes, hearts, or follows they get. Not only does

it

foster

a

superficial

environment,

it

fosters

a

competitive

one.

Teenagers, especially ones with low-self confidence, could compare other people’s lives with their own and have a negative opinion of themselves.

Comparisons can extend not only to the general well being of others, but also their body and how they look, contributing to deteriorative body image and eating disorders. Social distancing since COVID-19 has increased the use of screen time including social media.

While social media is great for keeping people connected and engaged, it is important to be conscious of how much time is spent on it and how much is invested into it. Balancing the time spent in front of a screen and the time spent doing something else is important, not just for eye health but for mental health.

Illustrator: Carolina Moriera Instagram: @linesbycarol

Isolation From Peers and Friends Abigail

In

a

time

disorders middle

of

social

are

facing

aged

adults,

isolation, more the

Rommero

people

challenges.

group

Illustrator: Antra Singh

most

with

pre-existing

Besides

affected

elderly by

the

mental

folks

health

and

isolation

single

is

young

adults and teenagers. A huge factor into why young adults are so affected is the physical isolation from their peers and friends.

Effects of Social Isolation First, let’s break down the effects of social isolation. Even with modern technology and social media to bring us closer together, teenagers are still suffering in the mandated isolation. Surveys done during quarantine have shown that people are reporting high amounts of psychological distress and symptoms of mental disorders. Could this have something to do with physical

isolation?

Studies

have

shown

that

yes,

psychological

distress

during this time is not just a result of fearing for your life, job uncertainty, or

house

uncertainty,

it

is

also

because

of

social

isolation.

For

teens

especially, isolation from peers and friends makes them feel increasingly lonely, oppressed and hopeless.

To

conclude,

while

social

isolation

is

completely

necessary,

it

is

also

harmful to people’s, especially teenager’s, mental health. To mitigate the negative

effects

of

social

isolation

though,

stay

connected

with

your

friends and reach out to friends who may be struggling. Even if it is online, communication is important for keeping up our mental wellbeing.

Resources Illustrator: Ella Gong Instagram: @ellaphnt

TOOLS Notion the perfect tool for notetaking Todoist for inputting tasks Grammarly for checking grammar and spelling

Socratic find resources for homework help

Google Calendar for managing your day

Youtube watch and create videos

Zoom platform for video conferencing

Facetime make audio and video calls

Skype free online calls and messaging

Slack

channel based messaging platform

Netflix

Calendly for setting up meetings

watch shows, movies, and documentaries

Life Advice from your online older sister

well-being

social life

Try yoga/meditation

Start facetiming or calling your friends to

Take walks

check in

Count to three before you do anything

Joining clubs is a great way to explore

impulsive

other interests and meet new people

Put ALL distractions to the side

Find a penpal

Organize your desk

Netflix parties

Do coloring activities like mandalas or color by number Have a consistent sleep schedule Drink lots of water!

school FaceTime your friends for study sessions Set alarms for when you need to do work Use time blocking to divide time for hobbies and homework Have a planner or use Google Calendar, Notion, Todoist, etc.

Use Grammarly to check for mistakes in writing

Create and share Spotify playlists Start a blog Create a YouTube channel

extracurriculars Prioritize clubs to what you're interested in Calendly, Whentomeet, and Slack are great sites and communication platforms to set up times to meet and chat Skribbl.io is a great icebreaker

Crisis text line

741-741

Create a study playlist and study guides Use the screen time feature on your Iphone

Suicide Hotline

+1-800-273-8255

Our Collab Team THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION AND DEDICATION!

DEAR GLOBALGIRLS' MEMBERS

SANDRA CHEAH FOUNDER AND CEO

TALIA CASKEY FOUNDER AND COO

LAUREN BYUN

CINDY DEDIANOUS

AYMAN FATIMA

KATELYN HOWARD

HEAD DIRECTOR

MAGAZINE COVER DESIGNER

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CO- DIRECTOR OFÂ WRITING

EACH MIND'S MEMBERS

CIARA BALANZA FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ABIGAIL ROMERRO WRITER

ANTRA SINGH

ELLA GONG

ARTIST

ARTIST

CAROLINA MOREIRA ARTIST