The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted every aspect of people’s lives in a unique manner. Though some of its implications, like psychological distress and social distancing stress, affects people of all ages, some age groups are impacted more severely. The crisis has changed our economy as well because the youth unemployment levels are rising too. All this has led to extra pressure on teenagers. If you are a parent, read on to know about teenage mental health during COVID-19 and make a note of some effective solutions.
- Increased Anxiety
The anxiety levels are increasing in teenagers as they are supposed to enjoy their lives at this stage in life but now, they are stuck at home, and even if they go out, they have to follow scores of instructions to stay protected. If your teenager is struggling with anxiety, you need to assure them that things will be all right soon. You can use reliable websites like the CDC website to let them know about vaccination drives and how things will soon be back to normal. Fact-filled information and parent support can help your teenager a lot.
- Rising Stress Levels
Teenagers all over the world are also reporting higher stress levels due to the COVID-19 situation. If your teenager is also showing signs of stress, you need to motivate them to talk about the stressors and empty their minds. You can also guide them towards distractions that will keep their mind at ease. Music works as an amazing stress-buster, so does exercise. If the stress levels are beyond the acceptable levels, you may consider going to therapy.
- Feeling Isolated
Most of us are isolated in the time of COVID-19. If your teen’s school/college is also promoting online classes and your teen isn’t able to meet or hang out with their friends, you need to ensure that your teen doesn’t feel isolated. You can do that by letting your teenager know that you are always there for them. You can also ask them to stay connected with the people they like (friends, family, neighbors, etc.) by using online tools like Zoom calls.
- Feeling Lonely
As many people are stuck in their homes, they have too much time to spare. If your teen feels lonely due to it, you need to focus their energies in the right manner. Ask them to try a new hobby like cooking, baking, painting, or learning a new musical instrument, etc. Let your teen decide what they want to learn and ensure that you will find them a coach who can teach/train them online.
- Avoiding Strong Feelings
Teenagers often make the mistake of suppressing their feelings. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered different feelings in people like sadness, anger, and many others. If your teen is also suppressing their feelings, you need to ensure that you ask them to acknowledge their feelings and work through them. The only way to deal with hard feelings is to accept them and work your way through them. As a parent, you can support them through the process and get them the help of a professional if needed.
Need Expert Help?
If you need more tips on teenage mental health during COVID-19 or you are looking for more effective solutions, you can trust me, Michelle Mehta, a certified professional Co-Active coach, an Associate Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation, and a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner.
I am passionate about helping teenagers feel authentic, empowered, worthy, loved, and help them create a sense of belonging and believe that the world needs their talents. So, if you feel you’re called to have your teenager work with me, let’s set up a time to talk and connect. I look forward to Empowering Your Teenager to Shine with Confidence. To know more, click here.
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