“COVID.” “Quarantine.” “The Pandemic.” We have a lot of names for the epidemic of 2020 that the US is still trying to recover from, and have yet to truly see the long-term ramifications of the pandemic. One that is crystal clear, however, is the effect that COVID-19 has had on mental health, as people struggle to stay connected in a world of increasing disconnect.
What is Mental Health?
Mental health is a combination of factors that sums up our emotional and internal stability, and the disruption of this can cause a variety of disorders, such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, just to name a few. If our mental health is greatly weakened, it can be hard to stay motivated enough to get through a day or even do the required work for a college class!
Why Does This Matter to Me?
To put it simply, the longer a person is in quarantine, the more their mental health can decline. The combination of isolation with stress of contracting the virus can negatively hurt young adults, who need these social connections for emotional growth and maturity. Being unable to emotionally connect makes it hard to recover from depression or anxiety especially since most mental health services currently cannot be done in person due to COVID-19 concerns. One study even measured life satisfaction and symptoms of depression and anxiety two months into the pandemic and found significant increases in symptoms of both disorders, and a large decrease in life satisfaction. Regardless if you were able to stay in contact with friends over Zoom or through social media, everyone has been affected by the disruption to our social calendars.
This effect is doubled by the emphasis on digital classes these past semesters, making it harder to experience social interactions we gain from being in the classroom, and find a reason to avoid screens more than needed. Increased use of electronics for classes have been found to lead to sleep duration as well as increased depressive symptoms and stress levels.
What Are Some Ways I Can Improve My Mental Health?
There have been a variety of methods developed to help improve mental health during the pandemic, stemming from smartphone apps to digital mental health interventions. However, these methods have worked for some, but not everyone. Thankfully, there are other strategies that may work for you.
One study found that exposure to nature and outdoor spaces made participants less likely to report depressive and anxiety symptoms than those that simply stayed indoors. It is safe to say that going for an occasional walk can help brighten your mood! You can also meditate or try yoga, as both have been found to relieve stress if done long term! Another strategy could be cutting down the amount of caffeine and alcohol in your diet. This may help lower overall stress factors that contribute to mental health issues over a long amount of time. Finally, it is crucial to stay in social contact with friends through online applications like Zoom or Skype!
This is a tough time for every student, there is no denying that. But be sure to use these tips to help avoid being stressed and stay mentally healthy! In addition, be sure to take advantage of the resources Binghamton University offers to help keep you and others safe!
Some resources on campus:
Counseling Center: Call 607-777-2772 to set up an appointment. You can also call the after hours hotline at 607-777-2772 ext. 2 on nights, weekends, and holidays.
SEEK: Call the helpline at 607-777-4357 to speak to a representative
CARE Team: This group looks to listen and support students with their mental health. Their office is UUW 207 and they can be reached at 607-777-2804.
Active Minds is a group on campus with the goal of raising awareness about mental health, as well as the stigma regarding them. You can reach out to them by emailing activeminds@binghamtonsa.org.
Decker Student Health Services Center: Provides currently registered Binghamton University students with psychiatric consultations from a board certified psychiatrist. Can be found behind Dickinson next to Harpur’s Ferry and can be reached at 607-777-2221.
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About the Author: Nicholas Bober
I joined REACH because I wanted to be able to connect with students on campus about health issues. Ultimately, I want to go into the field of forensic psychology and though REACH is not directly helping me to accomplish my goal, I enjoy the opportunity to interact with the student population and spread knowledge about health issues! By passing what we have learned through REACH, the community is able to make better decisions regarding safe sex, sleep, nutrition, smoking and vaping, and so on. I am very big into both dogs and superheroes! My favorite breed is a corgi while my favorite superhero is Spider-Man! Next to this is a picture of my niece and I!