Editorial: COVID Mental Health Challenges

In spring of 2020, I had all the time in the world saved for my mental health, yet I was still having mental breakdowns everyday. My parents still worked and my brother went to my grandparents’ house, so that left me home alone, not talking, just sitting there staring at a computer screen with tears running down my face. I seriously thought that this would never end and this would be the death of me. I am someone who thrives on human interaction and being alone basically for three months due to COVID really took a toll on my mental health. I did occasionally talk to my friends, but no one was allowed to see each other which was hard for my brain to comprehend. I remember lying in my bed for hours on end because I had no motivation for anything. My dad would make me get up before he went to work so he could see I got out of bed. He called me ‘depressing and sad’ . I was scared of the outcome when the pandemic ended. Where would I be? Would I even be here anymore? The pandemic was kind of like a black hole slowly sucking the routine and order out of my life. Solitude can be a good thing for some but, looking at mental health stats, it seems that I was not alone in my struggle. Maintaining a routine is really key for beneficial mental health. “They (routines) help us cope with change, create healthy habits, improve interpersonal relationships, and reduce stress.” Brad Brenner Ph.d states in an article ‘The Mental Health Benefits of maintaining a routine’ posted on nyctherapy.com on September 30, 2020. So when the pandemic came along and yanked any sort of routine or really any order away from us, of course mental health was going to decline. When you don't have a routine or some kind of order, chaos can ensue. It wasn't all bad though, if there was one good thing that came out of this pandemic it is that when we were allowed to see people again, I became a lot closer and better friends with some amazing people whom I might not have otherwise. We had taken simple interactions with friends for granted but don't anymore. I was also able to focus on my training in my sports and really zero in on what I needed. After navigating the pandemic blindly for a few months with a great support system. I felt like I was finally mentally balanced again. However, I know others are still struggling. There are times where all of us need someone to talk to. If you are feeling like you need someone to talk to, the school counselors are always there to talk and there are Crisis hotlines locally. I'm glad I got through this challenging time, but I'm glad to know that there are resources out there, The National Suicide Hotline is 800-273-8255 it is open 24 hours, 365 days a year.