In the past three years, psychiatrists have noticed an increased incidence of depression, anxiety, and other neurotic disorders among children and adolescents. The COVID-19 pandemic has even led to PTSD-related issues in many of them. Teenagers and pandemics are serious topics, so we need to delve deeper into that subject.
Common mental health issues among teenagers after the pandemic
The unexpected and profound changes in the current way of functioning have led many people to severe mental disorders. The COVID-19 pandemic affected many more than those who actually got infected with the virus. It also had, and still has, a significant impact on our mental well-being.
When it comes to teenagers and pandemics, the younger generation has experienced even more of the negatives of that time. Inability to cope with the difficulties of the pandemic reality has even led to a serious increase in suicide attempts among teenagers.
In the post-pandemic era, teenagers and young adults struggle with a wide variety of mental health issues. The most common problems include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Neurosis
- Sleep disorders
- Eating disorders
- PTSD
Even if they don’t show it, many of our children are really crying out for help. It’s our role to listen to that cry and extend a helping hand before it’s too late.
This article may interest you: Post-Pandemic Mental Health: Coping with the New-Old Reality
How can you help teenagers and pandemics?
- The above-mentioned issues among teenagers and the associated risks have led governments of many countries in the world, as well as numerous non-governmental and scientific organizations, to develop special recommendations for parents, guardians, and educators.
- These ideas instruct on how to support children in the fight against the post-pandemic reality. As an adult, it’s your duty to reach out to the younger generation. Here are some ideas on how you can help teenagers deal with post-pandemic mental disorders:
- Start conversations. Discuss current school issues and material they are working on. At the same time, show interest but also understanding, don’t force anything.
- Talk about problems. Try to show young people how they can deal with difficulties in their school and personal life. Stay calm so they get the security they need.
- Encourage new hobbies. Getting interested in something particular can be an excellent way to escape from everyday problems. Maybe they could do it together?
- Be available. Parents should always respond to their children’s needs.
- Monitor screen time. Social media can be a source of stress for teenagers. It’s important to pay attention to the amount of time they spend online.
In conclusion, it’s crucial for adults to pay attention to teenagers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sudden and profound changes in their lives can lead to mental and emotional disorders, which can be addressed if the necessary support is provided. With the right time and patience, young people can find purpose in life and work towards achieving great things.”