Combating the Social Isolation of Young People During the Pandemic
The pandemic has been very isolating for many people as COVID keeps us apart from our friends and loved ones. Under normal circumstances, children and teens would usually be focused on building up their social circles and relying on their friends for support during difficult times. Right now, this isn’t really an option for many. Rates of anxiety and depression in young people have risen over the past year and this increase in stress can affect everything from mood and academic performance to appetite and dental health.
During this time helping children and teens stay connected with friends and loved ones can be an intentional act. Typically young people would be able to socialize and connect with others most days through school, extracurricular activities, and by hanging out with friends. With safety restrictions in place, many of their go-to social activities are no longer options. Many teens are still working or have to do other activities that could put them at risk of exposure. This can come with its own stressors, one of which may be spending time away from others who would be in their social circle. It is important for everyone to incorporate safe ways to stay connected during these times and many activities can be easily incorporated into daily life.
Technology can be a great tool for young people to connect with others. It can also be overwhelming for young people to be exposed to infinite articles showcasing the impact of the pandemic.
To help use technology as a fun way to connect you can:
Host movie nights with friends (Netflix Party)
Have weekly video chats with extended family
Play online games together (including virtual versions of card and board games via PlayingCards.io or VirtualTabletop.io)
Distanced activities can also be helpful. These might take a little more planning but it can be very refreshing to get to see others face-to-face.
Here are few awesome socially distanced activities to try:
Picnics during warmer weather
Car picnics during chilly weather (park cars next to each other with the windows down and the heat on)
Hiking or going on walks together
Even young people who are doing well could benefit from some extra care.
Support your young person by:
Check-in with children/teens about their thoughts on the current situation. We may not be able to fix the issues that the pandemic is causing but it can be helpful to have an idea about what those in our lives are thinking about.
Consider their moods and look out for a dramatic increase in sleeping, lack of interest in activities, frequent crying or sadness, and overall apathy. COVID has impacted many of our daily schedules and not having to leave the house as frequently scrambles our daily schedules. While this is normal, it can be useful to keep an eye out for common symptoms of anxiety and depression that could be signs that they need help.
We are all trying to navigate this new normal, and it has been a big adjustment for everyone, especially young people. It is normal to feel stressed and anxious during this time. If you are wondering what you can do, these are real, tangible things that you can do to support the young people in your life. Prompt open discussions about their experiences, validate their concerns while providing comfort, keep an eye out for warning signs that they may be struggling, and provide ways for them to socialize safely.
Healing Hart Wellness provides wellness support to children, young adults, and their parents through individual and family therapy, parenting support, and yoga/meditation instruction. If you have a young person who is socially isolated or struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic or needs support with other challenges, please feel free to reach out to us by emailing Courtney Hart, LCSW-C, at courtney@healinghartwellness.com.