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Losing Touch
Students navigate social isolation’s effect on mental health GRACE XU STORY
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STEPHANIE MORTON SUBMITTED PHOTOS
s America reaches over 1.5 million coronavirus cases, as of May 21, much of the country remains under lockdown, creating an unprecedented recession—one that takes the form of social isolation. Such isolation comes with significant health implications, particularly from a psychological standpoint. For senior Stephanie Morton, she said her transition to quarantine was particularly rough.
SMOOTHIE RUN: Senior Stephanie Morton de-stresses by driving while sipping on her Smoothie King drink. Morton said driving helps improve her mental health allowing her to get out of the house.
“For me personally, the first few weeks (of quarantine) were probably some of the hardest just trying to adjust to everything,” Morton said. “I wasn’t doing my schoolwork, and I’d spend the day lying in bed. I think all of that combined together was just not healthy for me. I had a job; I worked as an assistant teacher at a place called Sprouts. I assumed that throughout quarantine, I’d be able to keep working and save money—and then they let me go for the time being. That was something that really hurt to take in, and I think that led to me sitting in bed all day and not wanting to go out or do anything.” According to CHS social worker Mary Reese, it is natural to need an
by the numbers
17% of youth experience a mental health disorder
43.8 MILLION
people suffer from a mental disorder in America NAMI SOURCE
adjustment period following the start of a global crisis. She added one’s mental health may be harder to manage now due to the major changes each individual experiences. “Everyone is impacted in one way or another as we have all undergone a major change in our day-to-day lives. Certain individuals may feel a sense of grief during this time,” Reese said via email. “Others may demonstrate increased anxiety, sadness and fear related to a situation where they feel they have little control.” While Morton said she dealt with negative thoughts and avoided schoolwork, she began to overcome it as a result of external pushes and becoming more aware of her mindset.
