The Pandemic has Increased Students’ Mental Health Issues
FRESNO, Calif. — Students in California are facing major life changes in their personal and academic life because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Students from California State University, Fresno have raised their concerns about the difficulties they are facing during the pandemic.
“The transition to online classes has been bad because I don’t learn like this,” said Elizabeth Cruz, 21, a senior studying finance at Fresno State. “I learn and engage in person. It has really hurt my grades.”
A lot of students have raised concerns about not learning from any of their assigned material now that the courses are all being taught online. Most students have never experienced being in an online program, which has left them feeling unmotivated.
In a lot of cases, students don’t have access to the internet and a device that will allow them to continue with this transition. Fresno State has been lending laptops, tablets, and wi-fi hotspots. Cruz said this is a great way to support students’ success but not every school is doing this.
Isolation has sparked a discussion about mental health. During quarantine, normal social gatherings that allow us to connect with others are no longer available. Although there are ways to communicate with people, such as our phones, and the use of social media it still is not the same.
“I think for one thing being that everyone is isolated that it’s hard,” said Joseph Bocanegra, 20, a third-year student studying computer science at Fresno State. “Because you know for a lot of people being with friends is something that helps with your mental health and that is something people rely on.”
“I am diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, so I tend to get attacks when I am in my house for too long,” Cruz said. “Being that I struggle with mental health issues I can see how isolation is making people feel worse, and it affects my schoolwork.”
Some students are doing better than most but just like Cruz, many have been going through similar situations. Being in such unprecedented times can be truly worrisome for many individuals, especially those who go to school and work. Having to go through such hard times does in fact hurt students’ health and well-being.
“I think that mental health is very important to talk about during isolation because obviously this is not a normal situation at all,” said Dillon Parsons, 20, a second-year student studying journalism at Fresno State. “I believe that you need to be vocal about how you feel. I have a lot of anxiety and I can’t keep anything bottled up and I usually talk about it.”
Self-harm is a potential risk for those who are struggling with mental health issues during isolation. Being able to talk to someone is valuable and having resources available when you need them can make a difference, especially in this high-risk environment.
Students are facing a lot of sudden life changes that have them feeling hopeless as things worsen with the pandemic. Many students are deciding whether they will continue with their education in the fall. A lot of financial obstacles are the reason for this decision. Many students come from families that have lost their livelihoods. There are little to no financial means to support themselves going forward with their education.
“The student health and counseling center is still open, and they are doing counseling sessions on zoom,” Bocanegra said. He brought up an important factor in all of this, the availability of counseling is a resource many students would benefit from.
Since the shelter in place orders have been in effect a lot of individuals have had to adjust quickly. Students are moving back home to only face the challenges that come with that. Many students have said that they cannot focus while being at home which in return hurts their academic studies.
Students that are performing low because of family misfortune could perhaps result in changes in their educational path, many have considered the possibility of dropping out.
Although the climate at the moment is tense for everyone we must bring awareness to the resources available so that individuals can use them to help their education and overall well-being.
“It’s important to social distance,” Bocanegra said. “I am proud of people and I know it’s hard for all of us.”