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During the year, several studies have indicated that the mood of young people is negatively affected by the pandemic. In a survey by the Chalmers student union, 78 percent of students responded that they feel worse or much worse as a result of the pandemic.
Researchers from the Uppsala University Department of Psychology are conducting a research project on the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and their studies also indicate that young adults are particularly vulnerable.
– At first we were a bit surprised that young people between 18 and 30 years old felt the worst, but although young people are physically more resistant to the pandemic, they are probably more mentally vulnerable than older people because they are already very insecure. in life and pandemic is an additional uncertainty factor, says psychology professor Karin Brocki, who is leading the study.
Farzaneh Badinlou is a co-investigator on the study and addresses how social, economic and psychological factors can affect. Young people tend to have a more “shaky” base, they are not married, have no children, live alone, some have lost internships or jobs and a sense of security.
– Due to physical and social distancing, there have been significant interruptions in the routines of young people. But now it is difficult to create social networks, to train, things that we need to feel good and young people miss many important events that are common during that part of life, like the student last year, things that affect how we feel as well. like lost jobs.
How does not having routines affect us?
Farzaneh Badinlou explains: “It affects mental health in different ways, increases the risk of depression, increases various anxiety problems, increases anxiety and insecurity. You feel bad and inadequate.
If you have a past or present mental illness, it gets worse and worse. “
But the psychological is perhaps the most important factor.
– During the pandemic, young adults have had less access to safe relationships, housing, and jobs. There will be a loss of sense of security. Young people have lost a lot of support due to mental health problems. You study at home, you stay home all night, you lose your balance in life, which leads to loneliness and stress. So we must not forget that many young people are concerned about covid as well as others, says Farzaneh Badinlou.
Research also shows that young adults are exposed to sexual violence and domestic violence and have fewer opportunities to seek help during the pandemic.
“Time online affects anxiety”
Information flow is another thing that affects how we feel.
– We have seen how young people can spend many hours at night with social networks. Research shows that the amount of time you spend online affects anxiety and worry. And incorrect information, for example about corona, which flows and can negatively affect us, says Farzaneh Badinlou.
The Study: Increase in Mental Illness Despite Lighter Restrictions
Research from Uppsala University shows that levels of mental illness were significantly higher than in a study conducted on the mental health of the Swedish population before the pandemic and that used the same measure of depression and anxiety. The researchers’ results show significant levels of depression, anxiety and insomnia in Sweden with a frequency of 30%, 24.2% and 38%, respectively.
People with a history of mental illness were hit the hardest by elevated levels of depression, anxiety and sleep problems during the pandemic, but even people with no prior problems feel mentally worse.
On the web-based survey “Psychological reactions to covid-19 in the Swedish population” 1500 people between 18 and 88 years old participated.
According to Farzaneh Badinlou, there is a risk that the mental illness of young people and others will be overlooked during the pandemic.
– I absolutely believe that there is such a risk. I think it’s good if you invest in being able to identify the signs of mental illness earlier. Authorities can make it easier for victims to seek help and support. It’s important to disseminate information on how to learn to cope with anxiety and worry and provide information on when and where to seek help, she says.
Farzaneh Badinlou’s top tips if you have a mental illness:
Take your time to do the things you love.
Spend less time online
Create social networks
Do prosocial activities, such as helping other people, volunteering, even remotely.
To manage your mind
Focusing on routines, going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, eating healthy, exercising regularly, not spending so much time online is important to restoring balance in life, says Farzaneh Badinlou.
– Some of our research shows that psychological flexibility can help better manage the pandemic. This means that you adapt to your new situation by accepting thoughts and feelings. Shift your focus from negative to positive emotions and focus on the here and now. Meditation can be great for that. A good practical step is “Face Covid” which is great, it has different parts that make you land and find focus in the present.
CHAT: Do you feel bad about the pandemic? Ask a psychologist here between 8.15pm and 9.00pm on Sunday.
FACE COVID method
“FACE COVID” is a set of practical steps to effectively respond to Corona using the principles of ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) * developed by Australian physician and psychotherapist Russ Harris. Here is a brief summary of the most important steps:
F Focus on what you can control. In a pandemic, fear and anxiety are inevitable; they are natural responses to uncertain situations. Instead, focus on taking control of what you do to respond effectively to this crisis. It’s about dealing with our inner world, all our difficult thoughts and feelings, and our outer world, all the real problems that we face. To do this, you need to “drop the anchor” to hold your ground, following the steps in ACE:
A = Pay attention (recognize) your thoughts and feelings. Be curious about what comes up and watch your thoughts without valuing them.
C Land on your body (Come back to your body). Try not to run away or get distracted from the emotions in your body and mind, stretch your back and breathe calmly.
me = Get involved in what you do. Focus on what you do and see around you, what you do, the smells you feel. Put your energy here and now.
Go through the ACE steps slowly 3 to 4 times.
C Active action (Committed action). Do things that are meaningful to you, even if it evokes difficult thoughts and feelings. (After the three main steps, you will feel more in control, which makes this step easier. Ask yourself: “What can I do right now, no matter how big or small the action is? Others?” in doing it.
OR = Open: (Opening). Make room for difficult feelings and be kind to yourself. In a crisis, we cannot stop resentments, but we can leave them there, and showing humility and being kind to yourself is crucial if you want to deal with this crisis.
V Values (Values). Who are you and who do you want to be? The crisis of the crown has created several obstacles in our lives, goals that we can no longer achieve. But what can you say and do that allows you to look back on the years to come and take pride in your actions and choices?
me = Identify resources (Identify resources). Get a picture of who can get help and support. What friends, family guides, psychologists, counselors? And if you have the opportunity, let others know that you are there to support. A very important aspect of this part is having a reliable source of information for updates on the pandemic and its guidelines.
re = Disinfection and spacing (Disinfect and distance). Remember that this is a physical distancing, not an emotional cutoff.
Here’s a more in-depth description of each step in FACE COVID by Dr. Russ Harris.
* ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) is third wave CBT that focuses on mindfulness and a new way of looking at thoughts and feelings.
Here you can read more about how Elsa was affected by the pandemic, about Ruth Shaker, 21, who lost her job overnight, and Bienvenue, 19, who had difficulty sleeping during the pandemic. .
Support in the pandemic
SKR has produced comprehensive information, tips and advice on mental health in times of crisis and a support list with contact information for organizations offering support by phone, chat or email. Mental health mission.
If you go to school and feel mentally ill, you can contact the school conservator.
Tilia. Compassionate support for youth and young adults. Chat (Monday to Sunday 21.00-22.30). Insta-live via Instagram @teamtilia Thursday 19.00-20.00.
The main line. If you are concerned about your child or a child in your neighborhood, you can call the Parent Line at the phone number: 020-85 20 00, weekdays from 10 to 15 and Thursday from 19 to 21.
Protection line for women: 020-50 50 50.
The suicide line. At Suicide Line, you can talk to someone if you have thoughts of taking your own life or if you have a loved one with those thoughts. They offer help through the phone number: 90101 and through the Suicide Line chat. You can also send an email to Suicide Line.
