BLAZING

Coronavirus can stir up all sorts of feelings, like fear, anxiety or stress. A little stress can be helpful. It can be the motivator that keeps us self-isolating or washing our hands. But constant or high levels of stress can negatively affect our mental and physical health. Taking care of the mind is always important, but doing so in the midst of a pandemic can be tricky.  

However, one age group is at a higher risk for mental health issues due to the quarantine and that group are teenagers and people in their early 20’ s.  People in this age group are used to feel control of the environment. When they do not feel in control it can cause mental health issues. The quarantine is taking away their sense of control. Furthermore, we have no specific answers to for they’re queries. This creates anxiety and exacerbates anxiety in them who are already suffering from it. At this age teenager have a very difficult time tolerating uncertainty. (source: Babylon healthcare) Remember, the prefrontal cortex of the brain which is responsible for reasoning skills is not fully developed in them yet. Therefore, they are more likely to act impulsively rather than try to reason out a healthy way for them to tolerate what they are feeling.

Before the virus, depression, anxiety, cutting, vaping and suicide were at epidemic rates for children between 10 years old to 18 years old. Since the quarantine, the rates have naturally increased. Everyone is feeling helpless, depressed and anxious. They are asking for answers when they can resume their normal lives. They are even asking when they can return to school/college. This is not a question you expect from most. Usually, they want to know when the next holiday is going to occur. By asking to return is a definite indication that they’re desperate to resume their normal lives. (source: patch)