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Mental health counselors: humans need to be together
December 31, 2020
A socially distant walk is the closest some friends have been able to get in the pandemic. (Alyce Collett/YJI)
Health and safety rules brought on by covid-19 mean people are unusually apart from others, forced to self-isolate for weeks or months at a time.
As time goes on, many yearn for human contact, finding it increasingly difficult and unnatural to be alone.
In a series of interviews with Youth Journalism International reporters, mental health professionals in different countries explained why humans have such a powerful need to be with other people.
Counselors: covid causing new mental health issues for youth, making old ones worse
December 31, 2020
Erin Kim/YJI
The hardships of the pandemic are creating new mental health problems for young people and exacerbating existing ones, according to counselors and therapists who work with youth.
In interviews with Youth Journalism International, mental health professionals from five different countries discussed the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on teens and young adults.
For some, the uncontrollable circumstances of their lives are what set young people up for a difficult time during quarantine, according to the professionals interviewed.
Canadian psychotherapist Helen Butlin said socializing with peers – which is difficult in the pandemic – is extremely important to the development of children and adolescents.
Chuying Huo/YJI
The quarantine phenomenon of “glowing up” – improving yourself – took parts of the internet by storm as the covid-19 pandemic raged.
Making the most of your time within the quarantine is important and reinventing yourself is a way to enjoy life, said Jonas Roi B. Amparo, 18, of Tagbilaran City in the Philippines.
In interviews with Youth Journalism International, some young people embraced the idea of enhancing their appearance through exercise, new hairstyles and makeup, while others called it unnecessary and even toxic.
Mental health professionals interviewed by YJI were also split on the issue, with some of them warning about possibly unhealthy habits developing from the glowing up trend while others said they thought it important for people to focus on themselves during difficult times.
Experts predict post-covid mental health epidemic
December 31, 2020
Parnian Shahsavary/YJI
A mental health crisis could be imminent because of the impact of lockdowns and other stressful aspects of the pandemic, mental health professionals told Youth Journalism International.
Helen Butlin, a psychotherapist in Ontario, Canada, said people are already vulnerable and struggling.
The “tender, raw spots in our mental well being,” Butlin said, are under tremendous pressure, making coping more difficult.
She wasn’t the only one.
“This is a collective trauma that we are all facing. It is a feeling of helplessness,” said Michelle Collins, a certified clinical trauma counselor in Houston, Texas.