Record Numbers of Students Seek Emotional Support for Anxiety and Depression

The emotional health and well-being of students is being tested since COVID-19 arrived.  The pandemic has impacted many factors of their educational experience leaving some students feeling stressed, anxious, lonely and depressed.

Ordinarily, students embrace the new experience of living and studying away from home with great enthusiasm and excitement.  Students enjoy growing and developing as they find their feet in a whole new world of education.  They learn to budget and cook as well as many other life skills.

The unexpected challenges students are experiencing with online studies, lack of normal supports as well as financial pressures are immense.  Not only that, they too are afraid of contracting the virus or being in quarantine.

The shine has certainly been taken off the experience of going to college.  It should be about new opportunities, new friends and positive experiences not distance learning and isolation, leaving them feeling emotional, alone and vulnerable.

Many student quit college or university because they do not get off to the best start.  This academic year, it is more important than ever that students understand themselves and how they respond to stress and pressure.  They need to know that many others are feeling the same way.  The pandemic is triggering intense emotional experiences for many of us. Students are not alone.

Self care is essential; sleep, exercise and routine have never been more important.  Keeping in touch with friends and family is important.  Engaging in hobbies and online social gatherings can help.

Colleges and universities may provide support services which you can access.  If not, please do not hesitate to contact me.   I may not be in your area, however we can use video calling facilities or I can put you in touch with a qualified and registered therapist in your local area.

The Emotional Impact of Lockdown

Many of us have felt fearful and anxious as the coronavirus Covid19 spread around the world. It quickly reached our neighbourhoods and impacted directly on our lives.  We have worried about our relatives and feared for those with underlying health conditions. While some of us felt alone and vulnerable in isolation others are grieving the loss of their loved ones.  Many people have lost their jobs and some have seen their family business close.

There has been a collective trauma, one we can talk about and share our experience of with friends and family, but what about individual traumas that people suffer alone?  The intensity of lockdown triggered feelings and emotions that have been repressed for years.   Anxieties have played out in peoples’ dreams as they slept at night whilst others tossed and turned trying to sleep.

Emotional suffering can burden and torture the human psyche.  Unfortunately, during times of distress we seek solace in all the wrong places. Contentment and peace of mind will never be found in food, alcohol, drugs, porn, gambling, smartphones or other distractions.

Psychological problems such as depression, anxiety  or other difficulties do not occur in a vacuum.  Lockdown may have triggered unwanted thoughts, feelings and behaviours and even stirred up repressed emotions. Maybe that is an indication that it is time to treat the underlying cause of distress.

The primary aim of therapy is to identify and resolve the underlying originating cause of distress.  If untreated stressful and traumatic experiences become problematic unwanted symptoms of anxiety and depression.

“Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.”
C. H. Spurgeon