During hard times, we all have the tendency to become more anxious or negative than usual. If you have a history of experiencing depression and anxiety, you’re more likely to find that it’s harder to crawl out of those deeper emotions. And, if you are a young adult between the ages of 18 to 24, your risk for depression and suicidal thoughts during this time is particularly elevated. Suicide rates in young adults during the pandemic have increased significantly, while access to help and supports has decreased for many.
Most teenagers are social creatures, and eager to gain independence from parents and family – having social activities and time outside the home be restricted due to school closures has taken a toll. The graduating class of 2020 has faced the cancellation of events they have spent their high school careers looking forward to, separation from their friends earlier than expected, and major life decisions about attending college being impacted by fluctuating plans regarding remote learning. Those young adults graduating from college or entering the workforce directly from high school are facing a turbulent and uncertain job market.
While social media has provided a way for people to connect during this time of social distancing, it is most definitely a double-edged sword. The emotional toll of cyberbullying is real, and with potentially fewer social outlets, today’s teens and young adults may be experiencing the negative effects of this now, more than ever.
Keeping an eye on your teen to catch early signs of mental health struggles is key. Your child/young adult may need more support if they demonstrate:
- Changes in mood that are not usual for your child, such as ongoing irritability, feelings of hopelessness or rage, and frequent conflicts with friends and family
- Changes in behavior, such as stepping back from personal relationships. If your ordinarily outgoing teen shows little interest in texting or video chatting with their friends while stuck as home, for example, this might be cause for concern.
- A lack of interest in activities previously enjoyed. Did you music-loving child suddenly stop wanting to practice guitar, for example? Did your aspiring chef lose all interest in cooking and baking?
- A hard time falling or staying asleep or starting to sleep all the time.
- Changes in weight or eating patterns, such as never being hungry or eating all the time.
- Problems with memory, thinking, or concentration.
- Changes in appearance such as lack of basic hygiene (within reason, since many are doing slightly less grooming during this time at home)
- An increase in risky or reckless behaviors, such as using drugs or alcohol.
- Thoughts about death or suicide or talking about it.
This list was pulled from Signs Your Teen May Need More Support by healthychildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/Signs-your-Teen-May-Need-More-Support.aspx
If you would like to learn more about this topic and how you can support them, here are some great resources to check out:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/24/well/family/young-adults-mental-health-pandemic.html