Mental health is a very real and crazy journey that people battle with everyday. People have always struggled with battling mental health, but what happens to that when you have to be isolated from the outside world? The world plays more of a part in our mental health than we would like to think. Every single one of us has dealt with our mental health, good or bad.

For many people, what was supposed to be a two-week break, turned into a repetitive cycle of depression and anxiety. While depression and anxiety are not the only mental health disorders that have been severely affected, they are the most frequently seen. The CDC says, “Symptoms of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder increased considerably in the United States during April–June of 2020, compared with the same period in 2019 (1,2). To assess mental health, substance use, and suicidal ideation during the pandemic, representative panel surveys were conducted among adults aged ≥18 years across the United States during June 24–30, 2020. Overall, 40.9% of respondents reported at least one adverse mental or behavioral health condition, including symptoms of anxiety disorder or depressive disorder (30.9%), symptoms of a trauma- and stressor-related disorder (TSRD) related to the pandemic† (26.3%), and having started or increased substance use to cope with stress or emotions related to COVID-19 (13.3%).” Covid-19 has brought so many struggles for people including, money, health, jobs, and loss of someone important. 

Having to be indoors all the time decreased the amount of physical activity, decreased the amount of vitamin D people got, forced school to go online using zoom, travel bans, and not being able to see people who make us happy.

While interviewing a sophomore from Pitman High School Leah Tennell she claimed, “People have been less social and more introverted. People around me like friends and family become more closed off and even depressed.”

While being asked the question if they feel their mental health has gotten better or worse a family friend Alexander Mendoza answered, “Worse because of all that covid has done that affected my life. Feeling isolated and distant from everyone. I’ve also noticed my mental health affecting my life more than it ever has.” 

Despite all the negatives that Covid has brought to mental health, there are some positives outcomes. Many people have changed over this time, some slightly and others drastically. Having a lot of time they have had more time to figure themselves out and who they are. “I went through a lot of stuff but honestly I don’t think I would change anything because I feel like I would be a really different person if I hadn’t gone through everything I did,” is what Tennell stated during the interview. 

Covid has flipped the world upside down and is still changing us. Some people have dealt with it better than others, but everyone should be proud of themselves for getting through it. Don’t be hard on yourself and take everything day by day. Most importantly people should remember your mental health will always be important so if you need a break take it, if you feel like you need extra sleep instead of finishing an assignment do it.