Written by Marvin Lezama.
Cover image by Gabriel Isak.
Mental health is a priority for all. For Generation Z, it’s especially important as they are young and living through a historic year and completely unknown events. Having to experience something new is hard to conceptualize and adapt to.
Prior to the pandemic, Gen Z has had reasons to be stressed. One of the highest reasons for stress from teens was school safety. 75% of Gen Z reported that school shootings are a significant worry. Now, despite the fact that students are not attending school physically, there are new worries which have affected Gen Z. Many teens are struggling immensely throughout the world's crisis to keep their mental health doing well.
Unknown Worries of the Pandemic
The COVID crisis has impacted all generations. While Gen Z has not borne the brunt of its physical damages, living in isolation has caused mental health hardships. Many states have been closed and others are having trouble opening; teens have spent a lot of time isolated, which has made many anxious, stressed and afraid.
Individually, teens have personal struggles they go through, no matter if there is an economic or social crisis -- life goes on. Worrying and fearing about our health and the lives of relatives who are sick is a heavy burden. The economic crisis that arose because of COVID-19 left many unemployed, adding to a world of worries. In these unprecedented times, many move through life with a heavy weight on their hearts.
Stress from the World Crisis
Teens are facing a lot of pressure in their academics and choices. Recent graduates who are transitioning to another school have not received enough assistance to properly prepare for the new environment. In a normal world without the chaos of a pandemic, most students would have been prepared with the correct knowledge to transition to the following grade. Living with worries on how academically prepared students are going to be once schools can reopen is scary for both parents and students. To top it all off, the 2020 graduates who missed the culminating high school tradition of walking down a stage to pridefully receive their degree, heavily feel its loss.
In March, students had to quickly transition and adapt to remote learning. The difficulties that students have faced stem from unreadiness, lack of motivation, and academic support. Taking time to reflect on what is occurring was needed: it was hard to fully grasp the repercussions of the virus.
Despite experiencing the pandemic, some students have become industrious and persistent to accomplish their school work. Yet, when students are living through something new it does take a mental toll. Many students have been suffering through exhaustion, anxiety, and sadness, which are disadvantages to students who want to academically succeed.
The stage where Gen Z is supposed to mature and build confidence is sinking as home isolation negatively influences their mindsets. Being isolated at home and having a repetitive routine for days on end can boil over into one emotion: being overwhelmed. Gen Z is dealing with adolescent growth in a closed space. Plus, it is difficult to look forward to something positive because of the devastating issues occurring in states, cities and homes.
Coping
It’s hard having emotion build up; finding a release is important. For some, coping may take the form of being on their phone enclosed in a bedroom. For others, it can be to read a book and disconnect from their device. One popular way to cope is by being creative: 88% of Gen Z’ers said that creatively expressing themselves has helped them feel less anxious during this time.
A New Norm
Gen Z is witnessing so much and learning how to cope, hence why many are having trouble moving forward in an unknown world. Most Gen Z’ers are entering the stage of early adulthood, striving to become independent, receptive, responsible in the matter of days to accommodate to a new norm virtually. This year has been full of turmoil, including a pandemic, isolation at home, remote learning, a revelation of systemic racism, and examples of good and terrible leaders. This is a revolution that Gen Z have taken to heart and have fought to cause change for the future. Gen Z is learning and adapting every day and standing with each other.
Despite the disruptions throughout the world, Gen Z has been powerful and will continue to endure and prevail, with an awareness towards mental health; it’s just as important as our physical health and definitely needs to be checked up on frequently, especially living through these unprecedented times.
__________________________________
If you are struggling with your mental health, here are helpful hotlines and links:
Crisis Text Line (USA)
Text HELLO to 741741 or send a message on facebook
TeenLine (USA)
(800) TLC-TEEN (852-8336) or text TEEN to 839863
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
800- 615 6464
800-273-8255 or text ANSWER to 839863
Comments