The Stigma Behind Mental Health After Eleven Months of Quarantine

Eleven months of quarantine have certainly taken a major toll on all of us mentally. It’s been a huge struggle, challenging each and every one of us individually and collectively as a community. 

For teenagers, social isolation, loss of loved ones, fear of sickness, and a desire for unattainable normalcy have contributed to a decline in many teens’ mental health. 

The pandemic has caused a significant spike in anxiety and depression in teenagers and adults alike. Federal surveys in 2020 show that 40 percent of Americans are now struggling with at least one mental health or drug-related problem. However, teenagers have been hit especially harder than any other age group, with 75 percent of them showing symptoms of a mental health issue. 

A ninth-grader from the School said, “I have been way less active and there isn’t much that makes me happy… I’m not really looking forward to anything right now. I have a bleaker outlook on life.” 

Another problem that teenagers face is the pain of missing out on experiences, because they cannot go to school or see their friends. This is especially devastating for seniors, as they may miss prom and other major parts of the high school experience. 

Freshman Leah Tabakh, who is new to the School this year, stated, “When I found out that I had to start Head-Royce online, I was really sad. I really wanted to experience high school. All of it. But I couldn’t and that made me sad.”  Some ninth graders like Tabakh are approaching the quarter mark of high school and have never even been to campus yet. 

“Even though there are more people seeing a decline in their mental health these days, the stigma behind mental health issues still remains,” said another ninth-grader.  “Many think that mental health is connected to violence, and those with mental health conditions are dangerous. I think that to dismantle the stereotypes around mental health, [you need] to inform more people about these issues. Education is an important part of getting rid of stereotypes.” People are often scared or ashamed to seek help and therapy out of the fear that they may be judged or stereotyped by their peers. Now more than ever, it is crucial to seek help when we need it and do all we can to support ourselves and the needs of others. 

If you’re feeling down, try facetiming a friend. Reaching out to one person a day even virtually can help you feel less isolated. Or try reading a good book to immerse yourself in a new world of possibility. Also, check up on schoolmates to see how they are doing. Remember how good it felt when someone texted you asking how you are doing? Make someone else feel loved. 

To protect your mental health, take breaks from the computer. Your eyes will be grateful, and it will help you feel less worn out looking at a screen all day. Additionally, consume the news in moderation. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by everything going on in the world today, so try not to stress too much about things out of your control. And remember, it’s okay to not be productive all the time! We’re living through a global pandemic. 

Everyone is trying their hardest during these unprecedented times.  It’s okay to ask for help if you ever feel like you need some extra aid to feel your best. The teachers want to support you in any way they can, and you can always talk to the School’s guidance counselor or try therapy. It’s completely normal. 

One silver lining of the pandemic may be that because so many people are struggling with their mental health, the stigma behind will decrease as a result of more people relating to the hardships that are causing these breakdowns.

Resources:

Upper School Counselor: Rachel Concannon rconcannon@headroyce.org

Middle School Counselor: Suzy Klein sklein@headroyce.org 

Suicide Hotline: 1(800)273-8255

SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4367)