BY MADISON HOANG ‘23
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns about mental health and well-being have skyrocketed, as individuals find themselves struggling to cope with the challenges of social distancing, or are anxious for the course of the pandemic itself. Paradoxically, the alarming need to protect our physical health has inadvertently placed our mental health at an even greater risk. For the St. Mark's community, the unexpected shifts between remote and hybrid learning have certainly imposed a heavy burden upon the internal workings of many students. Since spring of 2020, we have been compelled to forfeit various aspects of our pre-pandemic lives which were once deemed as ‘normal,’ and replaced them with the ‘new normal’ of the pandemic: working from home, attending classes at midnight, living in a single dorm, wearing masks 24/7, severing face-to-face interactions with our peers, etc. Frankly, these were sacrifices that many of us were not ready to make, or did not expect to be relinquished for as long as they have. As a result of these pandemic losses, the overall mental well-being of learners across the nation has taken a considerable plunge ever since, as demonstrated in a fall 2020 survey conducted by the Active Minds organization: nearly 75% of college students report that their mental health has worsened over the course of the pandemic, with 89% experiencing stress or anxiety, 78.06% experiencing sadness or disappointment, and 77.47% experiencing loneliness or isolation. This almost-ubiquitous pattern of negative thoughts and feelings associated with pandemic-learning simply begs the question: How can students at St. Mark's, who also find themselves in a state of mental distress, address their internal needs during this post-pandemic world? With summer break coming just around the corner, it seems more important - than ever before - that students utilize this time to mentally recover from the past year, and eventually, prepare themselves for the coming future.
Focusing on Recovery
In spite of all the trials and tribulations that students have endured this past year, psychiatric studies have shown that the human resilience is much more capable of mental self-healing than we may believe. This summer, instead of immediately shifting back into rigorous academic work, take some time to answer to your internal needs, and to practice self-care. First, accept the fact that perhaps things did not go according to all the expectations you set for yourselves and your surroundings. The needs of social distancing, quarantining, and hybrid learning have certainly sold everyone short of their hopes and desires this year, and that's totally okay! By learning to accept your shortcomings, you can avoid further digging itself into a negative state of self-blame, regret, or disappointment. It allows you to move forward with an open mind, and set yourself up for future growth. Furthermore, deal with negative thoughts and emotions by practicing self-care: building habits like mindful meditation, healthy eating, regular exercise, and adequate sleep, can greatly encourage the development of positive emotions.
Equally as important in the recovery process is social inclusion, which allows you to regain a sense of social participation, and re-establish a strong support network of loved ones and peers. This summer, reach out to your family members, friends, and local community - not only to rekindle previously-severed bonds, but also, to reintroduce yourself back to the ‘outside world.’ If the self-recovery process remains difficult, then don't be afraid to seek help from your loved ones, or from medical professionals; it is just as important to realize that this battle does not have to be an entirely internal effort, but also, an external one. This will help ease the mental recovery process, as you won't feel compelled to place further pressure on yourself to yield full results.
According to the Mental Health Foundation, the principal indicators of a successful mental recovery process may include: good relationships, satisfying work, personal growth, and the right living environment. Once you rediscover this balance in your daily life, you will have essentially set yourself up for a healthier mindset as you approach the post-pandemic world.
Looking Ahead…
With plans to shift back to in-person learning for the 2021-2022 school year, students should expect to see further adjustments to their weekly schedules and lifestyle arrangements. The most drastic changes? Most boarders will be expected to live with a roommate, classes will run for nearly twice as long, there will be fewer periods of ‘free time,’ athletic practices will become more rigorous, and students will be required to attend all-school events and commitments in-person. Particularly for this year's new students and remote learners, it will certainly be a challenge to cope with the decreased flexibility of the in-person schedule - but fear not, as it is entirely possible to prepare beforehand!
Once mental recovery has proceeded, use the rest of this summer to re-adjust back to next year's schedule. If not already part of your summer routine, then practicing habits like going to bed earlier, exercising in the afternoons, working in the evenings, and skill-building for independent living, will gradually allow your body’s natural rhythms to adapt to newer changes. This way, you can avoid an abrupt and challenging shift back into St. Marks’ rigorous schedule this fall - especially after having been used to the modified schedule for so long. If possible, continue practicing self-care habits throughout this summer in order to keep your mental health at bay, and to form a positive mindset going into the next school year.
For many students of St. Mark's, this summer unexpectedly marks a crucial period of time to focus on the necessary mental recovery and preparatory tasks left behind by the COVID-19 pandemic. Though anxieties centered around the pandemic have been well-relaxed with the rise of vaccinations in the United States, it has left behind much unspoken, yet crucial work to be dealt with. Therefore, it is incumbent upon affected students of the St. Mark's community, not only to acknowledge, but also to address these mental health needs. Use this summer to resolve the remnants of pandemic-induced stress and loneliness, and prepare for immense growth and success this following academic year, as St. Mark’s (hopefully) returns to ‘normal', in-person learning.
