Supporting student minds
Many of us look back on our student days as a time of low responsibility and high octane fun (except for me; I spent most of my time sat in the dark recesses of the library with an ever-changing pile of books around me; something my husband affectionally terms as ‘keeno’ behaviour).
But whether your student days were frivolous or fraught, you can bet your bottom dollar that the experience won’t rival that of the students of 2020/21. This is a time like no other. And it’s seriously impacting student mental health.
Research from mental health charity Mind found that people aged 18-24 reported the worst mental health and wellbeing during the 2020 lockdown; while an overwhelming 73% of students said their mental health had declined as a result of Covid and the associated restrictions.
Students of Covid (I’m trying out a new term) are battling against more profound worries than any student group before them. Unable to make or mix with new friends; concerned about finances; worried about the health of their family; overwhelmed by new routines and methods of teaching; unsure about future job prospects; disappointed by the university life they’ve been allotted, and frustrated at people breaking rules around them. To name but a few.
Coping through Covid
With stress, loneliness, anxiety, and depression affecting a high proportion of students during the pandemic, ‘hopelessness’ has become the new normal. The trouble is that without the right help and support, these feelings will linger, deepen and develop. Aside from the obvious tragedy of this for our students, it also means that the upcoming working generations are more likely to struggle with poor mental health, long-term.
So whether you’re reading this as a student, educator, parent, or employer, it’s exceptionally important to get familiar with a few coping techniques – allowing you to help yourself and help others.
• Accept that the situation isn’t ‘normal’, so there’s no ‘normal’ response to any of this
• Keep in mind that this can’t last forever, however difficult things are right now
• If you’re struggling with your mental health, academic work, or finances, talk to someone you trust; be it GP, therapist, or trusted friend
• Explore online peer support, where you can chat anonymously to people who really will understand
• If watching the news is impacting your mental health, take a break; the same applies to doom-scrolling through social media
• When everything feels out of control, be kind to yourself by eating well, getting exercise where you can, and really looking after yourself
• Write down everything you’re feeling; as well as being incredibly cathartic, written notes can come in handy if you decide to visit a GP or therapist
We need to be there for our students and give them a fighting chance to shake off the shackles that have weighed them down throughout the pandemic. Here, community is key.
Support, when you need it
Okay, so we might be a little bit biased here, but the FormScore app (set up by mental health guru Rob Stephenson) provides just that: community.
We’d never be so bold (or untruthful) to say that this incredible resource is all you need for better mental health, but it’s a bloody good start. You can invite friends, family, and colleagues to the app, then all you have to do is enter your Form Score each day. This means that your chosen and trusted network can see instantaneously when you’re struggling, and step in to help you out – or point you in the right direction.
Whether you choose to make use of the app or find other ways to communicate, the most important thing is to get talking. Be open. Share your struggles, and encourage those around you to do the same.
Students have been hard hit by the pandemic, with many of them separated from family and friends. It’s a lonely time for a lot of people, and as we set about rebuilding society for a post-Covid world, the final message should be this: community really is king.
Useful links to support mental wellbeing
We all need a bit of extra support from time to time. If you’re concerned about your own, or somebody else’s mental health, explore some of the services below. Preferably before you really need them.
Article by Emma Attenborough-Sergeant, The Wellness Writer.
With a passion for mental health and wellbeing, Emma set up The Wellness Writer to help leaders and organisations improve culture and engagement through relatable wellness content.