Teens & the Reality of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has been emotionally devastating for adults, but the full impact on teenagers may be worse.

Today’s adolescents have their fair share of challenges—navigating social media, online bullying, social pressures to partake in drugs and alcohol. All of these are enhanced by the enforced social isolation and cancellation of in person school.

Teens have lost their social outlets and support systems outside of their immediate families. School sports, prom, and traditional graduation ceremonies have been cancelled. They may find coping with this sudden loss difficult, because they will never get to do those things. School may have also been a safe space for an adolescent or teen with an unstable home life.

Teenagers and young adults have developmental motivations that make them hard to isolate at home. The physical and chemical changes that take place during this time make young people highly attuned to social status and peer group.

Schools have rushed to implement online learning with varying degrees of success. Teens now find themselves with a lot of down time. Without hours and hours of daily structure, teens are left to fill virtually the entire day alone. Technology provides a temporary respite, but may not be a long-term solution.

Parents should set aside time to truly listen to their children’s frustrations. Showing empathy and validating their feelings will help teens cope. Parents should ask how they can support them through this time.

When these feelings and emotions disrupt your teen’s ability to complete schoolwork or assigned responsibilities at home, it may be time to seek additional help.

Lake Behavioral Hospital specializes in adolescent mental health treatment. No cost assessments are offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A licensed mental health professional will recommend the right treatment for your teen, whether it’s an inpatient stay or outpatient program.

Call today for more information: (855) 990-1900