'Definitely overwhelming': Pandemic isolation having profound impact on mental health of young people
CTV
As the COVID-19 pandemic approaches the two year mark, isolation continues to take a toll on the mental health of young people — although evidence also shows they are also finding ways to cope.
Mari de Jesus is a Grade 12 student at Senator O’Connor College School in North York. The 17-year-old experienced mental health challenges before the pandemic, but in March 2020, they worsened.
De Jesus attributes the change to the isolation and adjusting to the “new normal.”
“It was definitely overwhelming. I know for myself and so many other people, our kind of way of coping with mental issues was distracting yourself and going out and seeing people, but then suddenly I was at home all alone. Alone with all my thoughts,” they said.
De Jesus said she felt more anxiety and found herself spiralling, thinking one negative thought, which would turn into many more.
