Post-pandemic Life Affecting College Students

College students nationwide are more stressed especially because the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic causing loneliness, worry about illness, economic distress, and uncertainty during a time of tjeir life that is challenging to many already. Just last year the CDC reported that more than 10% of adults surveyed in June 2020 had seriously considered suicide within the past month while two years ago that number was only 4%. Among the 18-24 year olds surveyed in 2020, about 25% considered suicide. 

Samantha Meltzer-Brody, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at UNC, said, "Mental health has been generally underfunded nationally and there is data that shows that kids and adolescents are struggling." Eventually this would require more money and commitment to reach students in a variety of ways to combat the issues that the pandemic has brought amongst our population. However, schools and institutions are are taking steps to address the issue. Virginia State University as well as others are providing days to allow students to decompress while Dartmouth College is partnering with a suicide prevention nonprofit to study its mental health policies and plan changes. 

Students nationwide have gone through dramatic changes these past few months. They were shut off of campuses in March of 2020 and endured periods of isolation, loneliness, and worry during the last school year regardless if they took remote classes from home or lived on campus with tight public health restrictions. Suzanne B. Goldberg, acting assistant education secretary for civil rights, wrote that, "This year, attention to suicide and mental health carries heightened importance. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a profound toll across the nation, including on the mental health of many students throughout the United States." Its important to check up on your friends and loved one's mental health. If you or someone you know are showing signs of depression, there are plenty of resources that can help. Click this link to chat with someone and connect with individuals for emotional support and other services. 

For a free journal to help cope with worry provided by The Depression Project, click here.

Read more about getting the support you deserve here by The Depression Project.