by Diane Jennings
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25 May, 2021
The coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on the lives of young people, and the ongoing effects are still yet to be seen. There are many ways that the threat of the virus and lockdown restrictions may affect mental health and wellbeing, especially in the young. Children in families with low economic stability may also be affected more acutely, although this is not a general rule. Factors that may lower the mental health of young people over the pandemic include: Social Isolation – being away from school for long periods and unable to mix with friends is significant for children. Teenagers in particular, for whom much of life revolves around their peers, isolation has been particularly hard. With less physical social interaction, for many, it has meant more socialising through screens, such as phones, apps and gaming. While in some ways this has helped young people stay in touch, it may also have contributed to an increase in cyberbullying. Social isolation can lead to depression and is a cause for concern for young people during the pandemic. Worry – chronic worrying raises anxiety levels. During the pandemic, young people may worry about loved ones contracting coronavirus and what the effects might be. They may be concerned about their parents struggling for money if they have been affected economically. If during lockdown, tensions are high, there may be more arguments in the home. This all adds to an atmosphere of worry, raising the prevalence of anxiety and the potential development of anxiety disorders in some young people. Change – for some children, the pandemic arrived at significant points in their life. Some have had exams disrupted, so they may feel they have worked for nothing. For primary school children transitioning to secondary, having had so much time off may make it feel like an even bigger leap. After months of not seeing friends, to suddenly be put back into a ‘large pond’ can feel unsettling. In addition to the coronavirus pandemic, add into the mix the usual physical factors that affect children, teens and young adults, such as growth, hormones and puberty, it easy to see why some young people are finding things difficult. With problematic economic times still to come, many families will be facing uncertainty for some time. This may have a detrimental effect on the mental health of young people, especially those in low socio-economic backgrounds. As an experienced, solution-focused hypnotherapist, I can help provide the tools people need to overcome the obstacles that are holding them back. Whether problems have arisen as a result of the coronavirus pandemic or have been made worse by it, or perhaps some issues run deeper, together we can find a way to move forward and bring about a happier future. Ready to regain control over your thoughts and feelings? For a friendly chat about how hypnotherapy could benefit you or a family member, feel free to contact me via phone, email or use the contact form to send a message. Diane x 💕