Quarantine has been very hard for everyone in a variety of ways. One group that’s been hit especially hard is teenagers. With feelings of loneliness already so common, quarantine has severely exacerbated the problem.
Before the pandemic, mental health diagnoses for anxiety and depression have been increasing steadily. A study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health shows that 3.2 million 12 to 17-year-olds have had at least one major depressive episode in 2019. The Journal of Abnormal Psychology finds that the number of youth with mental health disorders has more than doubled over the past decade.
There are many reasons for this, the first being the boom of technology. Over the past few years, we have been hearing more and more about how social media contributes to depression. However, it is also the fact that, now, with cell-phones, teenagers spend less time talking face to face with others. This also contributes to a decrease in psychological well being, as studies prove that more time on screen leads to an increase in depression.
Additionally, adolescents have to deal with high, sometimes unrealistic expectations. They constantly see everyone being “happy” or “perfect” all the time, and they are conditioned to think that that’s the only viable emotion. This makes it harder for them to learn the coping skills necessary to deal with more difficult emotions, leading to higher rates of mental health diagnoses.
Another big issue is that mental illnesses are often stigmatized, leading to fewer people seeking treatment. Mental illnesses are often stereotyped, and some people are shamed. Mental health conditions can affect anyone, but we often hear that something bad must be going on for someone to develop one. People don’t understand that someone can have everything going for them and still be depressed or have anxiety.
There are two types of stigma: stereotypes and discrimination. People who suffer from mental health conditions are often stereotyped and believed to act a certain way. Also, they are discriminated against, whether it be from within their friend groups, or by their employers.
“People with mental illness often internalize society’s beliefs about them—that they are incompetent, irrational and untrustworthy—and that can lead to distress that’s sometimes worse than the mental illness itself,” Illinois Institute of Technology psychology professor Patrick Corrigan said, according to the American Psychological Association.
Society looks down upon people with mental illness, and that makes people scared to get help. The cycle goes on and on, with more people suffering, never getting help and society just looking down upon them more. This is why only 30% of depressed teens are being treated for it, according to PsychCentral.
Mental health illnesses such as depression and anxiety have skyrocketed during the coronavirus pandemic. A survey of 1000 teenagers concluded that 50% of teenagers have experienced adverse mental effects during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some of the most aggravating factors of this dramatic decrease in mental wellbeing include the fact that most teens are isolated during quarantine. We are all stuck in our houses, and we can’t go anywhere. An important part of being a teen is socializing with peers, and that has been especially hard during the pandemic. Interaction with others over technology does not feel the same as talking to someone in person. It’s hard to get emotional support from friends over FaceTime or Zoom; it’s easier in person.
61% of teens say that they have experienced feelings of loneliness during the pandemic. The isolation and lack of support is definitely contributing to mental health conditions among this age group.
Additionally, some families are suffering economically. The U.S. is experiencing an economic recession leading to mass job loss and economic uncertainty. Nearly two thirds of households are experiencing financial trouble. Some families are worried that they can’t cover basic living expenses like rent and food. This stress falls heavily on teens, contributing to adverse mental health.
The good thing is that all of these problems are solvable. First, access to treatment must be expanded. People can be treated for mental health conditions with a combination of therapy and medication. Conventional mental health care is very expensive, and a lack of access is one of the root causes of mental health problems. This is problematic, as treatment has been proven to work. For example, 80% of people treated for depression show improvements in four to six weeks. Other conditions like anxiety and substance abuse disorder can also be treated. Thankfully, affordable online therapy options have been popping up such as BetterHelp, expanding access to necessary mental health services.
The stigma surrounding mental health must also be reduced because it leads to people being afraid to seek help. Reducing stigma would help wonders in solving the mental health crisis we are facing right now. This includes spreading awareness at schools and colleges. We need to show that not every person suffering from a mental health condition acts a certain way, and it doesn’t make someone “weak” to face a mental health challenge.
Talk about mental health openly with your family and friends. By talking openly about it, the conversation about mental health can be normalized, making people feel more comfortable seeking help.
All in all, mental health issues take a toll on our society, especially our youth. If you or anyone you know is suffering from feelings of anxiety or depression, talk about it openly and honestly. There are many resources available to get help including the National Lifeline, and the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services. It does get better, if we give teenagers the right support and empathy.
Article by Nikhita Bhatt of Cabin John Middle School
Graphic by Ha-Tien Nguyen of Winston Churchill High School