On Mental Health: Students Struggle In A Pandemic

Students walk to the oval. The Ohio State University | Photo by Tatyana Woodall

By: Mariah Muhammad

It's been nine months since COVID-19 reached the U.S: six since governors all over the nation began placing strict regulations on their communities.  The days of restaurant hopping, visiting family members, and hanging out with friends seem to be long behind us.

That said, the consequences of these actions now could result in anything from a severe illness to even death. 

COVID-19, or coronavirus, named for the virus' resemblance to the sun's rays, has robbed over 900,000 people of their lives this year alone. Even students haven't been left unaffected in how they handle the long autumn and spring semester now that Ohio State has removed fall and spring break from the academic calendar.  

The lack of social interaction compiled with deaths happening amongst their families, neighborhood, and cities has left immense pressure on these young adults. 

According to a study from Oxford Academic, many of the emotions that come with dealing with a worldwide pandemic are negative -  things like anxiety, distress, depression, insomnia, and the fear of being exposed to the contagion, run rampant compared to the actual risk of contracting the virus. 

Even suicides from all across the country have begun to see a significant increase - prompting the FCC to approve the creation of a three-digit suicide prevention number. 

Ohio State students in particular, are having a tough time adjusting to the university’s standards. 

As a part of their Safe and Healthy Buckeye plan, Ohio State has implemented multiple COVID-19 protocols that both on and off-campus students have to abide by. 

Currently, over 200 students have been temporarily suspended for violating procedures, like having or attending parties that include ten or more people. Those that have been suspended are now unable to access campus for any reason and are removed from all but online classes.

So, why are so many students risking their physical health? Parties and other social gatherings may keep some people from feeling lonely and may help them avoid dealing with any critical mental illnesses or disorders. 

Nonetheless, suspensions are not the only difficulty students are having this year. 

Information released from Ohio State’s Counseling and Consultation Service states that it’s waiting list is so long, it makes it almost impossible for students to get immediate help dealing with their stress. 

Those factors alone still pale in comparison when compared to the financial concerns students, and their families are stuck with because of the pandemic. In March, universities all across the country decided to make the switch to online classes: essentially leaving thousands, in the wind.

With all these setbacks, many students had to leave their dorms, jobs, and friends behind and move back to their hometown. 

Thousands of students living abroad had to leave the country as well, but what does that mean for local communities?

With so many campus jobs closing and nearby workplaces shutting their doors,  numerous students are left paying their bills out of pocket, causing many to deal with a spike in both anxiety and depression. 

Still, most undergraduates on campus are now taking either all online classes or hybrid courses. Many report that it’s hard to focus on the Zoom classes for hours consecutively. 

So, what does that mean for students less inclined to log on?  Does it compromise their learning for the sake of their mental health?  Even lowered grades can make the difference between being mentally healthy and not, triggering mental illnesses, and self-esteem issues. 

Overall, autumn semester is sure to be a challenging one for students. There are many factors that could affect us, so make sure to check in with your loved ones regularly!