How COVID-19 stress creates the perfect condition for mental health crises

By Jaxon McGinn
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Sunny South News

Dealing with many of the situations students, parents, and workers have gone through the past year, it has taken lots of people to the edge. Many are trying to be optimistic, but are still having a difficult time. Some have not seen family members or friends in the past months to almost a year because of this pandemic.

With the fourth wave of COVID-19, many restrictions have been lifted, but there are still fewer opportunities to socialize safely.

Many college students are already reporting the pandemic is negatively affecting their mental health and disrupting many of their studies.

Some are also dealing with the financial impacts. Some people are not working, and trying to pay bills is stressful, and no one should ever feel the uncertainty of buying food or paying the bills.

“Dealing with the pandemic and being a single mother of two is stressful as it is and adding more stress to my life from this pandemic is harder on my mental health,” said Danica Field.

Field is a single mom, and during COVID-19, her kids have been starting to do online school like most kids and balancing kids’ life and Field’s life is more challenging due to COVID-19.

Field hasn’t been to counselling since she was 16-years-old and building a relationship with a counsellor during these uncertain times is hard.

Counselling during 2021 is much necessary and challenging at the same time from building a professional relationship based on a face-to-face interaction from your counsellor on a personal level.

Building a relationship between family members and counsellors will help throughout COVID-19.

During the pandemic, many residents followed the protocols, but are facing loneliness and distance due to limited interaction with friends, counsellors, and family.

“Mental health is the most important thing during these challenge times,” said Field.

One Lethbridge College student from the Criminal Justice Studies has dealt with what many students are going through near the end of the semester — stress and balancing their lives.

“At some point in many people’s lives, they experience a stressful time, and the pandemic takes a toll on many people,” said the Lethbridge College student.

Many challenges students face result in a lack of interest in their studies and reduced motivation to get up in the morning.

Mental and physical health are linked, and many people with mental illness are more likely to have a substance abuse problem.

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