In terms of mental health, this year has been extremely hard for many, including Perkiomen Valley High School students. Between having to balance a heavy workload, fear of getting sick, isolation from friends and family, and having to be on Zoom, many students in marking period three are feeling the negative effects that COVID-19 has brought on normal life.
“I can’t leave my house because I live with many people that are high risk. My life hasn’t changed since March,” a student, who will remain anonymous, at PV said.
This issue of fear and isolation is very relevant, as we probably won’t be out of the woods completely until the summer, according to senior health officials, since that is the current deadline for herd immunity.
On top of worrying about family, students also have to stress the burden of schoolwork while being trapped at home.
“Being stuck in your home can feel suffocating, between school work, isolation from friends, and your sense of normalcies have been stripped,” Camerynn Roop, a sophomore, said.
Students have had to get used to an isolating lifestyle that is the complete opposite of how many teenagers thrive and would like to function.
This increase in stress, anxiety, and depression is not only happening with Perkiomen Valley students, it is also seen all over the world.
According to the New York Times, nearly 3 in 10 parents say that their child is already experiencing harm to their emotional or mental health because of social distancing and closures.
Student mental health all over the nation is on a decline, and PV is no exception. Schools and administrations across the country continue to work towards better environments and mental health resources for their students.
Sources: nytimes.com, namica.org, news.gallup.com