Panther Prints | Issue 4 | May 2020

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12 • Feature PESHPRINTS.COMCoping at homeStudents deal with mental health amid pandemicby Gracie Warhustollowing Gov. Greg Abbott’s order forFTexans to stay at home except for essentialactivities from March 31 to April30, teenagers and adults alike faced aperiod of isolation. People started stayinghome before this order, according toFiveThirtyEight, lengthening this confinementfurther. Combined with businessclosures and other COVID-19 safety measures,those with and without previousmental health difficulties had to find newresources to cope with their struggles.“I believe that people have been affectedin lots of different ways, however,specifically people that are used tohaving certain types of distractions or[compensating] for any of their anxietyor depression symptoms with things outsideof their home,” licensed professionalcounselor (LPC) Pare Underwood said.Underwood believes the most importantthing for teenagers to developis a peer group and friendships, and intimes like these when physical get-togethersare limited, the lack of contactcan be harmful.“It’s not like I’m 100 percent completelyfine because then again you can’t reallysee anybody during this time, so you justget lonely every now and then,” seniorJacob Oliver said. “Extroverts or peoplethat want to go out to see people, theytry to fill that void with something to doso that they’re not just stuck at home notdoing anything, [but] as soon as you getoff the game or hang up the call you kindof just look around and realize that nobody’saround you and you’re alone.”Psychology Today reports that faceto-facesocial interaction decreasesthe likelihood of depressive symptoms.For students, this could include attendingschool, extracurricular activities andsports practices.“I’ve been a lot more under the weathernot only because I miss my friends butalso because school was my distractionfrom my thoughts and stress,” juniorCharles Igbo said. “Also I’m missing myactivities and getting to perform with myfriends, so overall it’s just made me a littlemore upset about things.”Senior Isabella Escobedo dealt withpersonal struggles before the pandemicand saw a therapist to cope withthem. After her therapist’s office closed,there were limited options to proceedwith counseling, such as phone orZoom sessions.“I think that really took a toll on mebecause then I felt like I wasn’t talking asmuch and I wasn’t sharing how I was feelingas much with the people around me,”Escobedo said.For teenagers living at home, attendinga therapy session online may not holdthe same efficacy as in-person sessions.While there may be upsides, such as convenienceand being in a familiar place,there are also serious cons such as a lackof response to crisis situations and confidentialityissues, according to Very WellMind. Escobedo attributed some issuesto technology use and being uncomfortablethat an outside party would overhearthe conversation.“It was helpful finally talking to heragain and kind of picking up where weleft off,” Escobedo said. “[But] I see howsome people may feel like they can’tsay everything they want to say [overthe phone].”According to Psychology Today, timeaway from work and school, at least forSenior Jacob Oliver plays a video game in his roomMay 15. Oliver found activities to do at home in accordanceto Gov. Greg Abbot’s stay-at-home order.Photo by Gracie Warhursta short amount of time, may help relievesome stress for certain people. In addition,Psych Central reports that a lackof distractions can help one focus onpositive feelings.“It’s kind of both like a weight off becausenow we have online classes and Ican just not care about school [as much]anymore,” Oliver said. “It’s not like youhave something to do every single day.You can kind of put it off.”Underwood believes those who havehad fewer issues with mental healthduring this time have healthy relationshipsat home with their family and arenaturally lower on the stress spectrum,experiencing less big life changes or feelingsof anxiety.“A lot of the people that are stressedwith finances or jobs or are in the middleof a divorce or adoption or any of thosetypes of family things, it has affectedthem a lot more,” Underwood said. “I think[parental stress] kind of trickles down tothe teens and the teens don’t have as[many] resources.”For those continuing to struggle withfeelings of loneliness or decreased mentalhealth during this time of social distancing,Very Well Mind recommends stickingto a daily schedule, thinking of waysto meaningfully connect with loved onesfrom a distance and finding safe sourcesof comfort.“I think that you kind of miss the aspectof people asking how you’re doing atschool,” Escobedo said. “You know, youmiss that aspect of your teachers noticingthat something’s a little off or a placewhere sometimes you talk about howyou’re feeling or what’s going on, and Ifeel like you’re missing that.”

@PESHPRINTS Feature • 13Online resources, at-home strategiesfor keeping up with mental healthby Saifiyah Zakiith therapist offices closed and social distancing guidelines in place, many people must go without their usual resourcesWfor coping with mental health. However, here are a few new and old online resources available to use as well as tips fromprofessionals on improving mental health at home:“ ““[Stay] in the present and [find] as much to groundout as you can — so, getting outside, getting in thesunshine, getting grass on your feet [or] taking deepbreaths. Exercise, exercise, exercise, just for that endorphinboost. People who are not as active, I think[it’s important to be] responsible for what you’re exposingyourself to, so, not exposing yourself to toomuch TV or social media if you feel like it’s taking atoll on your stress or even mood. So, lots of self care,journaling, getting in a good sleep habit, those typesof things.”-Licensed Professional Counselor Pare UnderwoodNAMI HELPLINE(800) 950-6264“he National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Help-TLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service providinginformation, resource referrals and support topeople living with a mental health conditions, their familymembers and caregivers, as well as mental healthproviders and the public. The helpline is open Mondaythrough Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and they also respondto emails at info@nami.org.“One of the big tips is to talk about [mental health]and if you’re having symptoms or issues with depression— being, ‘I’m feeling overwhelmed [and]helpless,’ feeling like I’m having thoughts of maybeeven, ‘My life’s not worth it,’ or ‘I don’t see a wayout of all this mess,’ kind of pre-suicidal thoughts— that’s not uncommon. My suggestion would betalk to your parents about it, but if parents aren’treceptive also to be able to know ‘so who do I call?’Call the hotline and say ‘Hey, I may need some help.’Some people may think, ‘I’ve talked to my friendsabout it and it didn’t help.’ But friends aren’t reallyalways the most appropriate [people to talk to].I would suggest if someone feels like, ‘I’m feelingunsettled, I’m not feeling okay, I’m not feeling likemyself, I’m overwhelmed, I’m tearful, I’m afraid, I’mhaving anxiety, I’m feeling hopeless,’ there is themental health hotline. Another place they can talkto is their primary care [doctor]. There is no stigma[around] this, it would be very common.”“-Licensed clinical social worker Sonya OwensPSYCH CENTRALhis website, run by mental health professionals, of-online mental health resources, quizzes, newsTfersand an “Ask the Therapist” function. Psych Central alsoruns more than 250 support groups through online forumchats that users can join.TALKSPACE APPalkspace is a paid service that allows users to commu-with licensed therapists via text, audio or videoTnicatemessaging. It works through the Talkspace mobile app butcan also be accessed from a computer. Talkspace providestreatment for a variety of issues including: anxiety,addiction, depression, eating disorders, PTSD, LGBTQ+issues and relationship issues. The company also offerstreatment for teens between the ages of 13 and 17. However,parents must give permission via video message forminors to receive treatment. After that, teens can haveprivate communication with a therapist. Unless the counselorthinks a teen’s mental or physical health is in immediatedanger, therapy issues are kept confidential.

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Panther Prints | Issue 4 | May 2020

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