MENTAL HEALTH

The COVID-19 crisis has been proven to cause an increase in mental health issues for children and young adults globally. The development of children and adolescents is being impacted by a lack of in-person communication and a decrease in hands-on activities such as sports, the arts, and other social activities, making students unmotivated, anxious, and depressed. Research published in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction shows that fear and substance use levels correlate directly with a country’s response to the pandemic, causing disparities in mental health. Students from Russia and Belarus, for instance, reported increased substance use during and after quarantine, as well as experiencing negative emotional effects. Meanwhile, food insecurity has led to increased physical deterioration for children with health issues arising, such as asthma, mental health challenges, and increased hospitalization. A marked increase in screen time, lack of engagement with teachers, and parental joblessness, likewise, have led to severe anxiety in many students.