Health & Wellness

Effects Of The Covid-19 Pandemic:

It's been 16 long months since a humongous part of our lives got limited to the four walls of our house, not only us but it is the sad reality of millions of students and job-seeking graduates who are pounding the pavement.

The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted our lives in every aspect and reduced the productive potential of an entire generation. Even before the onset of coronavirus, the social and economic integration of young adults was an ongoing challenge. Now the young generation are likely to suffer severe and long-lasting impacts from the pandemic. It has been particularly hard on the youth with low-income households. Youth today are really concerned about their future and their place within it.

Access to education has been challenging for many children as they are asked to learn remotely through digital tools. Laptops and tablets which were once a pastime luxury, are now educational necessities that not all can afford. Many students from lower-middle class families had to withdraw from school as they can’t access online learning or computers at home. Underprivileged children whose daily source of nutrition were midday meals are also suffering a lot. Students had to part themselves from friends, teachers and the overall ambience of the school or college. Now the social interaction is limited only to the phone screen. Many students are now having a very casual attitude towards education and other growth activities as everyone is unsure of the future. They are getting addicted to social media, binge watching movies/series and games like pubs etc.

It's the duty of parents to improve communication with their kids and try to build a friendly rapport with them. Proper awareness must be created about mental health. Schools and colleges must initiate activities that will benefit their social growth apart from online learning.

Although the risk of illness from Covid-19 is relatively low to the younger generation as compared to the other age groups, long-term mental health impact could potentially be far from damaging. This time is also increasingly difficult for the youth who are currently in the work-force or trying to enter the workforce to get decent employment. Graduates and postgraduates are especially under pressure to support their families as well as build their career. Many are unable to find quality internships or jobs to gain experience and build skills. It is high time to create and provide ample opportunities for youngsters instead of turning them into a bunch of wasted resources.

Some suggestions to help the youth

➔  Firstly, we must communicate and show our support to them.

➔  Try to invest in youth voice and youth leadership.

➔  Don’t blame them for being unproductive, instead try to understand the reason behind it and help them overcome it.

➔  Support schemes for youth led small businesses.

➔  Increase support for youth clubs, youth activities and groups.

It is important to spread the feeling of hope and faith among youngsters in times of crisis. It is also necessary to identify the best way to deal with the current situation and document these practices for the longer run, as the impact of pandemic is going to sustain for a long time.

By: Sakshi Bisht | Life Within
Photo Credit: www.yandex.com