How the Pandemic is Impacting Students’ Mental Health
Over the past year, many students have adjusted to the new norms of virtual education and social interaction brought forth by the spread of COVID-19. This new online lifestyle came with its own set of difficulties which took its toll on many students’ mental health. Even though social distancing regulations and switching to online social interactions are put in place to enforce the safety of the population, it is important to address the difficult transition from an outgoing college life to social isolation so that students who are struggling feel less alone and know how to cope with these challenges. JMIR Publications posted an article online, “Effects of COVID-19 on College Students’ Mental Health in the United States: Interview Survey Study,” which assessed in further detail the impact that this pandemic has on college students. 71% of the students in the survey were found to have increased anxiety levels caused by the coronavirus. 91% reported fear and worry, which led to depressive thoughts, from the pandemic, 89% struggled to concentrate and stay focused, 86% had sleep difficulties and decreased social interactions from social distancing regulations, and 82% became more worried about their academic success. The majority of the student population is feeling higher anxiety and depression rates, from social distancing and fear of the virus’s impact on their loved ones. When reading this article, it is important to note that students who feel anxiety or stress are actually currently in a demographic majority.
Similar to this study, Amber Kavehkar, Assistant Director of Fitness, Member Services and Marketing feels that sadness is the leading emotion accompanied by loneliness and stress due to the compromised college experience. Kavehkar started a new program for Pacific students, Wellness Coaching, where they meet with her, a national board certified Health and Wellness Coach, for one-to-one conversations focused on awareness, and setting and reaching personal goals. “In coaching, we acknowledge people are creative, resourceful and whole: the expert in their own lives. My focus in a coaching conversation is not what can I give someone, it’s what they can take away for themselves and from themselves. In coaching, we explore together to see what works for the individual and from there we build their unique toolkit,” says Kavehkar.
Kavehkar supports students by talking through challenges, self-care and changes for personal well-being they are ready to make. She offers a partnership to work forward together for self-improvement and fostering positive self-leadership by focusing on deep, active listening and offering empathetic, non-judgmental questions and reflections to tackle the changes the students want in their lives. “I am in the passenger seat as the student drives with the map. I see a coach’s role as navigation support,” Kavehkar says.
Kavehkar recommends students find time for personal reflection on what brings them joy to help them cope with the pandemic. She believes, “Just because no one can do the inner work for you doesn’t mean you need to do it alone. Our sole purpose is the support [students’] personal success and well-being.” They also offer a 12 week non-credit certification this fall for a Lifestyle Wellness Certification ($175 fee for WITS certification materials) for students interested in coaching.
Pacific’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Director and Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Kimberlee DeRushia, found that while social isolation is an undercurrent for ongoing problems with students’ mental health, the top presenting concerns at CAPS are: anxiety, stress, family, self-esteem/confidence, academic performance, and trauma/racial trauma. Dr. DeRushia actually found that for some students, mental health has improved during the pandemic because they’ve been able to stay in comfortable, safe spaces near family, and the lack of pressure to socialize brought some relief, while for others, their mental health declined. This is particularly true for students who are in situations where they don’t feel as safe as they do when they are on campus either because their current living situation is unsafe or they’re unable to be open about aspects of their identities.
Dr. DeRushia also talks about the impact of grief and loss students felt during the past year, referencing David Kessler, an expert of grief, who put it well when he said, “We feel the world has changed, and it has. We know this is temporary, but it doesn’t feel that way, and we realize things will be different… the loss of normalcy; the fear of economic toil; the loss of connection. This is hitting us and we’re grieving. Collectively. We are not used to this kind of collective grief in the air.” She offers coping techniques such as finding new ways to connect with others through Zoom games or online social groups. If Zoom fatigue prevents this, then practice social distancing interactions outside while wearing a mask. Other coping techniques include journaling about experiences or square breathing (breath in for a count of 4, hold it for a count of 4, breath out for a count of 4, hold it for a count of 4). Dr. DeRushia offers advice for students struggling to cope: “Treat yourself with compassion. This is a difficult time to navigate and it’s okay to not have it all together all of the time. Give yourself some grace and realize that it’s okay if you’re struggling to feel connected even if you’re in a virtual room/call full of people.”
ASuop President, Randi Holguin, Business Administration, 21’ found from an ASuop survey that 70% of students reported declined mental health but only 30% reached out for help. As a student, Holguin admits to struggling from transitioning to an out-going to remote lifestyle, and utilizes personal therapy to help cope. She feels that most students are upset by losing 1 ½ years of college life and look for something tangible to blame, yet resiliently stay hopeful. Holguin recommends that students who are struggling should stay connected through video chats or interacting with social distancing while getting fresh air. Her optimistic message to students is: “Just remember this is only temporary and we will be together again very soon celebrating with our entire Tiger family!”
CAPS offers a variety of services for students on all three campuses including Solution Sessions, Grief Consultations, Mindful UOP (a meditation group that meets Tuesdays at 5pm), Wise Minds (a skills based group that teaches ways to manage distress and be more authentic to who you are), short-term individual therapy, and process or support groups. Currently students are seen within a day or two of initial contact at CAPS so they usually are not waitlisted. Additionally, there is an on-call therapist who is available 24/7 by calling 209.946.2315 x3. To connect with CAPS services, students can call 209.946.2315 x2 or fill out an appointment request form online. More information about their services can be found at https://students.pulse.pacific.edu/CAPS/appointment and the CAPS Instagram page @PacificCAPS.