Pandemic of the mind

An ever-increasing lack of motivation, coupled with isolation, took a toll on students like never before. Guzman said her time in quarantine was her first encounter with any kind of mental health difficulties. Prior to lockdown, Guzman remembers feeling excited about future endeavors. 

“I began the year with lots of friends, lots of hope and motivation, and lots of excitement for the new year,” Guzman said. “I knew exactly what I wanted and who I was. It wasn’t until May [when] everything began to take a toll on me. It was like I was walking beside my inner self and I ended up getting lost along the way. In other words, I basically started having an identity crisis, without any comprehension of [its] meaning.” 

Sophomore Olivia Kabano, who also vocalized her quarantine struggles, recalled the frustration and restrictiveness which presented itself after losing multiple members of her extended family during the lockdown. 

“It [was] so difficult because my mom wanted to go back home and go to the funerals, go to the wakes, but we weren’t able to,” Kabano said. “It just felt so restrictive. You couldn’t even take a day to go home and mourn with the rest of your family. I really wish there was something I could’ve done, or something anybody could have done. But it was one of those situations where you can’t, you just have to let it pass.”

Teens who had previously struggled with anxiety or depression felt their difficulties with mental illness were significantly amplified due to quarantine. Bloom said this period, hardship aside, taught her the importance of acknowledging her feelings and making time to prioritize her well-being.

“My anxiety and depression flared up a lot,” Bloom said. “It was something I had experienced, but not as hard, [so] I’ve been going through therapy. Self-care is definitely important. Learning to reflect daily on how you feel, being honest with yourself about how you feel and figuring out ways you can make yourself feel a little better. Whether it’s writing, painting or even taking a shower, you just have to look at the little things [and] see what you can do to make yourself better.”