COVID-19’s Shadow: How Coronavirus has Impacted Our Recent High School Grads’ & College Students’ Mental Health

For many high school seniors this year, the end of the school year wasn’t ideal. Prom was cancelled, graduation just wasn’t the same and graduation parties, well, weren’t really a thing in the midst of a global pandemic. Job prospects suddenly disappeared, part-time jobs withered away, and some opportunities seemed to vanish. COVID-19 didn’t seem to care about the fact that these were supposed to be some of the most exciting few months for new grads and it has left many young people lost, fearful, and frustrated. 

A Change of Plans

According to a survey led in part by Junior Achievement USA, nearly half of the high school graduating Class of 2020 changed their plans as a result of the global pandemic. This included many adolescents choosing to find work instead of participating in college, opting to delay college, or changing their career path. 

More than half of students who still chose to attend college this fall, including college students returning to campus, reported they were cornered about the impact of Covid-19 on their classes and academic quality of those classes. More than half reported they were also concerned about the impact coronavirus would have on dorm life. 

Many recent high school graduates and college students worry about unstable finances, whether it’s that of their supporting parents or due to the lack of part-time jobs. Other students worry about remote learning, their ability to focus and learn in this way and how most college tuitions refuse to budge despite these changes. And, of course, there’s always the fear of infection. 

So with all this fear and uncertainty, what can students and parents possibly do?

Surviving the Unprecedented

“How do I justify going to an expensive college when I don’t get to enjoy all the ‘normal’ facets of college life?” “How do I know I’m getting the same education?” “Am I being safe?” 

These are just a few questions you may have as a recent grad, or hear as a parent of a graduate. 

First things first, stop and breathe. Recognize that COVID-19 and its effects on the community, economy and world have never before been experienced. We’re all learning how to adapt and cope with this together. 

COVID-19 Mental Health for Young Adults

Parents, talk to your recent high school graduate about their options. By this time in the year they have probably already made a choice on whether to attend college, take a gap year, or perhaps pursue a different career path. Whatever the choice, make sure that, whenever uncertainty arises, to be available to hear their concerns and provide guidance and reassurance. 

Individual therapy/teletherapy is also an excellent opportunity for recent grads or young adults to receive direction and confidence; often free mental health care resources are offered by your college. Check with your insurance too, as many insurances cover the cost of therapy.

Students attending college who are facing anxiety or depression due to the effects of COVID-19 can reevaluate their choices and find strength in their current path. Here are some points to focus on as a student attending college during coronavirus:

  1. Connect with your peers in a safe way. Parties are often discouraged on campus due to COVID-19, but small gatherings or virtual meet-ups are great ways to stay positive and “vent” to others (who probably share the same concerns!)
  2. Remind yourself why you chose the school you are attending. You may be attending school remotely, but that doesn’t take away from why this particular school is important to you. Write down why college is special to you and why you choose to attend. 
  3. Colleges need you! Spoiler: colleges need you to survive, so you have every right to use them to work for you. Use their mental health resources, learning opportunities, special events (even if they’re virtual) and more. Colleges are working hard to navigate this pandemic, so be sure to let them know how they can best serve you.
  4. Focus on your future. Remind yourself that you came to college to improve your future. While right now may not be ideal due to COVID-19, it doesn’t mean next year will be the same. Focus on what you enjoy, your academic achievements and what you hope to accomplish in the years to come. 

Finding Support for Young Adults During Coronavirus

The pandemic has its fair share of challenges for college students and recent graduates: remote learning, financial responsibilities in the face of unemployment and the ever present worry of infection. We want to remind teens, young adults and their parents that we’re here to help navigate this new world. 

Triani Counseling Group is here to help, specifically in these times where, well, things seem to get too overwhelming. We’re here to help young adults make plans and identify goals, learn tools to cope with anxiety, depressions or other mental health issues, or simply to just to talk. Coronavirus is not the end of your dreams. It’s a hurdle that you will overcome! 

Let us know if we can help. We’re here for you every step of the way.

What to Know about Medication and Therapy

If you’ve sought therapy for yourself or for your child, you’ve probably thought of or been approached with the idea of medication to help treat you or your loved one’s issues. Maybe you’re ok with the idea, or maybe the thought makes you highly uncomfortable. 

“What about side effects,” you ask, “or what happens when I stop taking the medication? Will I become addicted? Will the drugs even work?”

 At The Traini Counseling Group, we understand that the idea of taking a medication can be scary and sometimes overwhelming. Choosing to go to therapy can be enough of a big step in itself. So why do we think it is so important to consider medication when thinking about treatment for you or your loved one’s mental illness? Let us explain. 

Benefits to Combining Medication and Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Mental Illness

For particular mental illnesses, combining psychotherapy with appropriate medications can vastly improve your chances of “recovering” or feeling “normal” again. In particular, those that suffer from anxiety and/or depression respond particularly well to combined treatment. In a study conducted in 2000 written about in the New England Journal of Medicine (Vol. 342, No. 20, pages 1462-1470), it was found that “[t]he combination of the two [therapies] was whoppingly more effective than either one alone” when it came to treating a group of depressed clients. 

Combining treatment can also be beneficial in that medication alleviates symptoms of stress and depression more quickly. Once you reach a point with medication where you feel less overwhelmed by your symptoms, you can then focus more on your therapy and learn tools to cope if the symptoms arise again.

In particular, medication can help children perform better in school, in social settings and with their families. And, as mentioned before, once children grow and begin to learn tools to cope with their environments better through therapy, medication may or may not be needed in the future.

Ultimately, medication works best when paired with therapy as part of an overall wellness program.

Taking the Worry Out of Medication for Mental Illness

Now even though you’ve heard of the some benefits of the combination of medication and psychotherapy, you may still have your worries. And those are valid! But let us reassure you. 

  1. What about medication side effects? 

There are many antidepressants and medication options that are not dangerous for your body, have little, if any chance of causing you to develop an addiction and are less disruptive to your brain chemistry. Your prescriber or doctor always has your best interest in mind and will work with you to find a medication that works best for you. 

  1. Will the medication even work?

Because everyone is different, how well a medication works will vary from person to person. Keep in mind, that when you work with us at The Traini Counseling Group or with a dedicated mental health professional, you will be monitored closely to see if the medication is working correctly for you. If you feel the medication is affecting adversely, we will work together to find other medication options for you.

  1. What if I want to stop taking medication?

That’s just fine! What we will ask is that before you stop taking any medications, you consult with your dedicated mental health professional to see if stopping your medications right away is safe, or if you will need to taper your dosage slowly to avoid adverse effects. Addinotally, along your way to mental wellness, you may reach a point where your mental health professional may suggest you are ready to stop medication. 

Are You Considering Therapy or Medication?

If you are thinking about therapy or considering medication when it comes to treating your mental illness, we encourage you to get in touch. If you have any questions at all, you are always welcome to call us or email us. We’re here for you whenever you are ready.