In early March 2019, the masked and infected world as we know it did not exist. Everything was normal and things were how they should be. And then suddenly, a great force of nature swept in, the coronavirus, and the entire world was shaken to the core. Now, everyone is quarantined to their homes with the exception of going outside with a mask on. Instead of going to physical school, students are forced to do remote learning at home. Although it has only been a month or so, remote learning has been negatively affecting student’s mental health. According to Sarah Earle from Reaching Higher NH, “While educators are working to address students’ learning needs, they are also realizing the effects of remote learning on students’ mental health. But just as the pandemic has thrown some families into new categories of financial need, it has taken a mental toll on some students who do well in the traditional school setting. Many educators report an increase in anxiety among students.” Although this type of learning can prove to be effective and better suited to some people, overall, the results seem to be negative, stressful, isolating, and anxiety inducing.

According Ashley Sweigart, an art psychotherapist and licensed mental health counselor, “A lot of what I’ve seen from clients is that there are many added layers of stress that were not there before because it’s an entirely new routine for people. And our brains are really good at finding a routine and sticking to it. So, when something has changed completely, it can cause an increase in anxiety. A lot of times when there is an increase in anxiety there is an increase in feelings of depression. And I think for a lot of kids, there has been a lack of social interaction which has been detrimental. That can increase the feelings of depression and isolation as well.” With remote learning being so unfamiliar, our brains are not used to the routine and it can take time for us to readjust and adapt to this new normal.

Cathleen Beachboard from Edutopia reports, “As schools across the country remain closed, students with trauma, difficult home situations, and anxiety need support now more than ever. The abrupt change can trigger stress and fear in students that can leave mental scars. A framework of safety is critical for students’ brains and can be the first phase of healing for those experiencing trauma. Help students feel safe through the three Cs: communication, consistency, and control.” Communication is key during this time because simply talking about our problems and sharing our feelings and emotions with someone can be profoundly healing and build up our support system. Consistency is vital because students need to have a routine they can get used to so things feel more normal. Control is also important because giving students a sense of control can prevent them from being entirely consumed by rather irrational or stress-derived emotional reactions.

Not only are the grade school kids suffering, but the students attending college are, too. Greta Anderson from Inside Higher Ed reports, “While the country continues to battle the coronavirus, college health professionals are also monitoring a growing crisis among young adults struggling with mental health problems, including suicidal ideation, anxiety and depression related to the pandemic. Several recent surveys of students suggest their mental well-being has been devastated by the pandemic’s social and economic consequences, as well as the uncertainty about their college education and post college careers.”

Counselors and psychologists have been trying to help students, but it is especially difficult online. Carolyn Jones from Edsource states, “School closures were intended to keep students safe during the pandemic, but for many, it’s ushered in a different set of dangers: anxiety, depression and other serious mental health conditions. School counselors, psychologists and social workers have been trying to help students virtually since campuses closed, listening to their struggles and offering advice on how to navigate the complex difficulties they’re facing.”

As hard as it is on average students, it can be even more difficult for students with mental conditions or disabilities. According to sophomore Kate Yahn, “I think it can definitely be more challenging for students with mental conditions because it is more difficult online and if they needed to talk with a counselor it is harder to do that since we aren’t physically at school.” Additionally, students with ADHD, like a good number of the students at Echo Glen, a Juvenile Detention Center, are continuously struggling with remote learning. The students were needing extremely high doses of ADHD meds and the psychiatrist who later resigned could not prescribe such amounts because it wasn’t something she would regularly have to do if there was direct instruction. 

Despite all the negative aspects of remote learning, there are some pros as well.Sweigart reports, “Some people have enjoyed having a more flexible schedule and doing things in the comfort of their own home. Some people have liked the online learning aspect, because it may work better for them versus being in a physical classroom. Especially people who might be socially anxious.” Yahn says, “I like it because all of the assignments are there in Canvas. I like that I can do things at my own pace and the schedule is a bit more flexible.”

According to sophomore Marcus Heu-Weller, “Online school is not as different from physical school as it might appear; in essence, you’re in the same environment with a teacher and other students, but it’s missing the interactive piece. The subconscious social cues that we all tap into for conversations are stripped from the equation and it creates tension and awkwardness, especially with people you don’t know.” 

With all the struggles and obstacles that students are facing, it is important to know how to cope and manage stress in a healthy way. Sweigart claims, “Having a support system could definitely be helpful and also that everyone takes care of themselves, from a very basic level.Eating the right food, getting the proper nutrition, getting good exercise and fresh air, a good amount of sleep. Anything that you can think of that makes you feel happy or calm in some way, it’s just really important to take care of yourself right now.” Yahn says, “I think taking breaks is important to regroup and separate from school for a little bit. I like running to get exercise and fresh air, and it distracts me because it requires a lot of focus and I don’t think about school or anything that’s stressful when I run.”

Additionally, there are things that schools could do to improve remote learning. Sweigart says, “I think that’s something that is going to be best handled on an individual basis because when people are struggling with different things, they obviously need different solutions. And I think that schools could really make sure that they’re reaching out, that they’re getting feedback from all students, not just students who are struggling with a mental condition. But to really ask for feedback of what’s working, what’s not working, and what could be done better. And to offer those who are struggling with a mental illness an opportunity to speak up for themselves and discuss with a counselor or a teacher one on one what would really benefit them and what they are really struggling with.” Also, Yahn claims, “I think fewer assignments would be appreciated, because there are a lot of assignments for each class and especially in an online environment it can be difficult to catch up on work. Also, the teachers having an after-school zoom link open every day would be beneficial.”

All in all, although some of us may be hanging by a thread, it is important to remember that even if it seems like it is never going to end, it eventually will. It might take some time, but remember you aren’t  going through this alone and we are all going through this together, as a community and a society. Having a reliable and trustworthy support system and a routine can help a lot. According to Sweigart, “Right now, collectively, we’re all going through something that we’ve never experienced before. There are a lot of new things that people are managing at this time and it can be really easy to get down on ourselves if we feel like we aren’t figuring it all out quickly enough, or that we aren’t doing a good enough job. So, in addition to taking care of ourselves, it’s also really important to offer ourselves compassion because we are all new at this and we are all experiencing something unprecedented. Just offering ourselves grace and compassion is really important.”