COVID-19 Pandemic's Effect on Mental Health

As a response to the COVID-19 crisis, Shanghai ordered lockdown of all residents to slow the rate of transmission, ease the pressure on the health care system, and protect at-risk populations. The lockdown has had a major impact on young people's mental well-being and has been a source of stress, anxiety, and trauma. Here are some ways the lockdown has affected youth:

DISRUPTIONS

ABRUPT WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL
LONG PERIOD OF SOCIAL ISOLATION
LOSS OF ACCESS TO ACTIVITIES
DEPRIVATION OF DAILY ROUTINES
DEPRIVATION OF SUNLIGHT
LACK OF PERSONAL SPACE
MISSING OUT OF MILESTONES
DEPRIVATION OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
SEPARATION FROM THEIR PEERS

NEGATIVE IMPACTS

As a result of the lockdown, students are less physically active, have much longer screen time, lack routine, have irregular sleep patterns, lead a sedentary life, and eat more junk food. It is easy to see how this generates feelings of fear, disappointment, hopelessness, worry, sadness, loneliness, and stress.