During covid and quarantine, the world went through a crisis.  Losing jobs, not being able to see family or friends, etc., resulted in many feeling their mental health going downhill.  Loneliness and very limited social interaction, to back to normal-ish society and life in three years is not something that is managed well by anyone. Symptoms relating to anxiety and depression are the main mental health results of the pandemic and have not been taken lightly. March 12th, 2020; was the last day with no masks and no idea of what was about to come next.  For me, that included the cycle of depression and anxiety, quarantine was about to cause.  

December 2019 was the start of the covid jokes.  Every time someone in class would cough everyone would give the standard response of “ouuuu someone has Covid.” But of course, now it’s not a joke anymore, it’s serious.  “Someone in China ate a bat,” was the main ‘fact’ and famous google search at the time. Throughout the beginning of 2020, there was a mixture of nervousness and not caring, from all those around me.  

Continuous worry and stress resulted at the beginning of my anxiety. I had to deal with events from my family members dying, my work ethic declining, to spending my time learning how to make whipped coffee and matcha drinks.  I was worried about the gyms closing and me not being able to make money at my job if this whole covid thing were to become serious.  This may sound like a common thing occurring in people’s lives today (and probably still when you are reading this). Going from being a “work hard, play hard” type student, I fell into a spiral that occurred of waking up late and procrastinating my assignments. The hard part was not living through quarantine but the after-effects of it.  In my senior year (current), life has felt as if I was a freshman all over again learning how to handle a bunch of classes with the benefit of college preparation and standardized testing. While I was worried about my own issues throughout this time, the rest of the world knew that this pandemic would be a great time to figure out the statistics of these feelings.  In the UK, questions on these topics were administered in the first six weeks of lockdown making even the beginning of lockdown a period where symptoms of a mental health crisis were growing.  Over 20% of those who took the survey, showed symptoms of anxiety but later decreased through the waves.  Men showed much fewer symptoms of depression (at 17%) than women (at 33%).  I wasn’t the only one struggling with this crisis. 

When learning that others research facilities took interest in this topic, I wondered if my own classmates and friends silently struggled with the same.  When surveying fifty students in the combined junior and senior class (16-18-year-olds), the most common symptoms were anxiety and depression.  Twenty questions on a variety of situations during quarantine and slightly after were asked.  Such as, “when starting online school, how did your grades fluctuate, and what resulted in this increase or decrease?”  All these questions were formatted to be answered in free response to having more detail and variety to determine results.  High school students seemed to have been affected much more percentage-wise with a 20% increase in depression and anxiety symptoms.  Other than depression and anxiety, many students suffered from a loss of motivation and social skills.  Coming back to school felt to many as if they were “starting school all over again and learning how to talk to people,” Amya Khan (12th grade) stated.  Many students described their time during quarantine as a change-in lifestyle that affected them long-term.  Those who did not feel a big difference during or after covid (about 5%) reported struggling with at least a short-time lack of social skills when coming back to in-person school.  For example, having conversations with a group of people or approaching a stranger.  As more people have been struggling with symptoms of anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, etc., more and more have come to the realization that this is a real thing that should be taken seriously.  Over 20% of those who took the survey showed symptoms of anxiety but later decreased through the waves.  Men showed much fewer depression symptoms (at 17%) than women (at 33%).  These ‘people’ include those of all ages, teens, adults, etc.  No one is exempt from their mental health or can avoid symptoms their whole life without its own consequences.  Many got help during covid and after have been healing but there are still many others suffering from the same or similar who have not been a part of these surveys or do not realize what those symptoms could mean.  For those reading this hundred years from now, know this, covid was not as bad for me as it was for many others around me.  For others it ruined them; many lost their whole families, lost their money, lost their life, etc.  Quarantine changed me, and I want to believe it was for a reason but honestly, I’m not sure.  It’s been complicated.

Many topics for research have been brought up due to covid and isolation.  In these studies, the main topic was mental health.  Between the CDC (US) and Cambridge (UK) studies, results were relatively similar; symptoms of issues with adults’ mental health have increased. The summary of each article with the similarities and differences are explained. 

This article by the CDC focuses on surveying people on anxiety and depression in the US.  It uses an online 20-minute pulse survey.  These surveys were distributed to adults in seven collections, each at different times of the year from 2020 to 2022.  Questions were asked that pointed some people towards having symptoms of anxiety and depression. This survey kept the same “in the past 7 days…” then later changed to “in the past 14 days…” to determine recent symptoms of those in certain ‘collections.’  Part of this survey was modified to determine specific symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder/or major depressive disorder.  The survey resulted in 6.5% reporting depressive disorder symptoms and 10.8% reporting generalized anxiety disorder. Later in the article, they show statistics on the results divided into categories.  Such as race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc. There are four types of errors that could have occurred. First, measurement error; the respondent could have put false information or misunderstood the question being asked.  The second is coverage error; those distributing the survey could have missed someone who was supposed to be in the survey. The third is a nonresponse error; the respondent simply did not respond to the survey or is unwilling to give certain information, leaving some questions blank. Lastly, processing error; those who put in the information from the surveys could have made a mistake or one’s survey got lost.

This article by Cambridge focuses more on the psychological and social measures with a range of symptoms. It uses a quota survey with a national sample. Including, anxiety, depression, suicidal/self-harm history, defeat, entrapment, and loneliness. Questions were asked that pointed some towards the ‘frequency’ of anxiety and depression vs. other surveys towards what specific symptoms. For example, the first question could ask “have you felt anxious more than normal?” If answered yes then a follow-up question of “when was the last time? 1 hour ago, 1 week, or 1 month ago?”  In the UK, questions on these topics were administered in the first six weeks of lockdown. This survey took into account previous mental health issues with those taking the survey and made subgroups based on them.  Three different waves were sent through, determining the difference between each.  In wave one, over 3000 adults were surveyed.  Results; suicidal thoughts grew with time, anxiety symptoms, feelings of defeat, and entrapment all lessened with time, positive well-being improved, and loneliness levels remained constant throughout the waves.  Additionally, women, young adults, and those with pre-existing mental health symptoms showed worsened outcomes than before.  Over 20% of those who took the survey, showed symptoms of anxiety but later decreased through the waves.  Men showed much fewer depression symptoms (at 17%) than women (at 33%). The list goes on with each symptom area (subgroup) and what they determined by percentage.  There are many errors or limitations that could have occurred in this survey. This survey was answered by surveyors’ self-reports instead of a diagnosis by a professional, and with many people dropping out of the survey or answering without importance, could not help us represent everyone who was affected by the first six weeks of covid-19/lockdown. 

The main differences between these articles/surveys include the variety of symptoms being determined, the frequency/time asked in each question, the type of survey administered, and the time limit put on the US survey vs. the UK survey.  Lastly, location and time when surveys were taken: each survey had a different goal. The US survey determined symptoms and some frequency through three years while the one in the UK determined symptoms and frequency during only the first six weeks. The main similarities between these articles/surveys are symptom topics used of anxiety/depression, having adults answer the questions, and limitations/errors resulting from the approaches of each survey.  Both can be used to discuss results in each area, but the same information is not given in both.  The location of the survey being taken is one thing to compare but the variety of topics in mental health, approaches, etc., are somewhat different between both. Overall, both articles have shown that mental health as a whole has gotten worse since the beginning of lockdown and covid-19.

 

• Mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: longitudinal analyses of adults in the UK COVID-19 Mental Health & Wellbeing study (non-scholarly)

O’Connor, Rory C., et al. “Mental Health and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Analyses of Adults in the UK COVID-19 Mental Health & Wellbeing Study: The British Journal of Psychiatry.” Cambridge Core, Cambridge University Press, 21 Oct. 2020, https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/mental-health-and-wellbeing-during-the-covid19-pandemic-longitudinal-analyses-of-adults-in-the-uk-covid19-mental-health-wellbeing-study/F7321CBF45C749C788256CFE6964B00C. 

• Mental Health – Household Pulse Survey – Covid-19. (non-scholarly)

“Mental Health – Household Pulse Survey – Covid-19.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23 Mar. 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/pulse/mental-health.htm. 

• Symptoms of Anxiety or Depressive Disorder and Use of Mental Health Care among Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, August 2020–February 2021  (scholarly)

Vahratian, Anjel, et al. “Symptoms of Anxiety or Depressive Disorder and Use of Mental Health Care among Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, August 2020–February 2021.” MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, vol. 70, no. 13, 2021, pp. 490–494., https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7013e2. 

•  Pandemic Causes Spike in Anxiety & Depression (non-scholarly)

Richter, Felix. “Infographic: Pandemic Causes Spike in Anxiety & Depression.” Statista Infographics, 15 Feb. 2022, https://www.statista.com/chart/21878/impact-of-coronavirus-pandemic-on-mental-health/. 

• Mental Health Effects In High School Seniors (primary)

Memon, Alena. “Mental Health Effects In High School Seniors .” Self Survey. 8 Apr. 2022, pp. 1–2. 

Although everything was put on pause during covid, school work was not.  Throughout my long study sessions and my face stuck onto technology, I realized my goal for the future.  This goal wasn’t exactly a goal, more of a realization; to graduate high school.  I always had good grades and school life but I never realized how this was a real thing I have been working towards but haven’t really thought of till this picture. I was sitting in the library after the lockdown was opened, was in the middle of my study session when I wanted to go home.  I was surrounded by Emory students who all had been where I was and somehow succeeded.  The lights were bright but dim enough to feel relaxed while reading or talking with friends. The bright orange divider helped with keeping the focus on “your side” of the desk. I sat back and tried to understand why I was feeling this when I was in such a groove.  I didn’t have a reason to go home but I did have a reason to keep doing my work. So I can graduate. I decided to take a picture to remind myself. 

Legos are by definition building blocks. It can be argued for what audience these building blocks are made for.  Many would say for kids while I would argue they are for any age.  My goal when buying a lego set was to purchase something I could build to relax. This was the outcome of three nights and five Marvel movies later. This is an almost finished white, Porche, lego set. The room has a lot of browns.  Including; the table and the tv stand.  The lego car is majority-white with parts of red and black. The lights are dimmed enough for the area to be best for watching a movie but also bright enough to build the lego set. This night was a reminder for me.  Reminder to continue for the end goal.  I sat back to look at what I had accomplished from the continuous struggle to find that one missing piece.  It reminded me of goals.  My goal is to graduate.  It’s almost done. 

 

Although this wasn’t graduation itself, it was my graduation photos.  Putting on the cap and gown itself was interesting, to say the least.  I’ve never worn something like that before.  It didn’t feel like a dress but more like a thin sheet across my body.  I posed as my mom took my photo to keep the “memory” of accomplishment. “Pose,” she said as I stood next to the “Class of 22” glass poster.  The bright lights reflecting across from the glass show the lack of professional photographer skills of the photo taker (aka my mother).  My smile shows that I am happy to be there, taking that picture.  Standing on one foot in heels makes the audience a little anxious.  Did I fall? Was I able to hold that stance long enough for multiple pictures? This picture is a reminder of the goal.  To graduate. The unusual look/feel of the practice cap and gown try-on was almost over.  The real thing was soon ahead.  My dedication and time were used wisely.  Class of 2022.  Almost built the whole set.

 

 

During quarantine, I struggled with everything imaginable within my two-hundred-square-foot room. I had to deal with events from my family members dying, my work ethic declining, to spending my time learning how to make whipped coffee.  This may sound like a common thing occurring in people’s lives today (and probably still when you are reading this), going from being a “work hard, play hard” type student, I fell into a spiral that occurred of waking up late and procrastinating my assignments. The hard part was not living through quarantine but the after-effects of it.  In my senior year (current), life has felt as if I was a freshman all over again learning how to handle a bunch of classes with the benefit of college preparation and standardized testing.  

My first semester of the senior year consisted of trying to pay attention in my classes but resulted in panic attacks from not understanding the material. Volleyball used to be my happy place until this year.  It was added work that I didn’t enjoy as much as I used to.   The spiral continued, but as it went down farther I couldn’t find a reason to come back up. 

Being stuck at home became normal and no matter how much I hated it I had to get used to it.  I had to get used to “not-s0-good” habits; laying in bed for my virtual class on my Apple Mac 2020 computer, copying homework answers from my $20 a month Chegg membership, and not showering for consecutive days in a row.  Then we have the habits that at the end of the day have negatively impacted me to this day; after class, during quarantine, I could go straight to my club meetings online then five minutes later, I could be doing my homework or watching Netflix.  In reality (aka non-quarantine time), my routine consisted of the same but time was taken when driving to places and back, and talking to those people you run into even though you have your AirPods in (during this time having headphones in is a wordless way of saying “don’t bother me,” which takes more time and energy than virtually.  

March 12th, 2020.  The last day with no masks and no idea of what was about to come next.  For me, that included the cycle of depression and anxiety quarantine was about to cause.  March 12th was a Thursday I believe.  I was wearing my black, North Face full zipper hoodie and my checkered slip-on vans with my light wash ripped skinny jeans (little did I know that my favorite skinny jeans would be out of fashion the next time I stepped foot into this building). Friday (March 13th) was planned by Dekalb county to be a teacher workday so my class celebrated Mrs. Vanpelt’s baby shower during 7th period on that Thursday before.  This baby shower included the usual; gender-neutral everything (since we didn’t know the gender yet).  There were cupcakes with pink and blue frosting mixed making this interesting tie-dye effect and chick-fil-a nuggets and sandwiches. There was music playing from Taylor swift to Lil baby and of course- us being sophomores in high school needed to play musical chairs.  At least our last day before the beginning of my literal hell was enjoyable.

December 2019 was the beginning of the covid jokes.  Every time someone in class would cough everyone would give the standard response of “ouuuu someone has Covid.” But of course, now it’s not a joke anymore it’s serious.  “Someone in China ate a bat,” was the main ‘fact’ and famous google search at the time. Throughout the beginning of 2020, there was a mixture of nervousness and not caring, from all those around me.  I was worried about the gyms closing and me not being able to make money at my job if this whole covid thing were to become serious.  The events occurring after my teacher’s baby shower were interesting.  “Two weeks off and virtual learning,” was honestly the best thing I was told from Dekalb county.  My Sophomore year was rough. School was getting hard and I love chemistry, don’t get me wrong but Mrs. Ross (my chemistry teacher that year) was not it at all.  It felt like a break that I knew I needed.  If only I knew what was to come ahead I don’t think I would be as happy as I was back then.  

 

 

 

Hey yall!

My name is Alena (some people call me Rosey). I was born in Washington State and moved to Atlanta when I was 11.  My favorite color is purple and I hate the color pink lol.  I love action movies, including, Marvel, Divergent, and the Fast and Furious series.  My favorite movie is iron man I because I have a thing for iron man…not Robert Downey Jr., but the suit its self.  When I first saw that suit being made in the movie I ended up crying because I thought it was so beautiful. When it comes to music, I listen to everything from rock to hip-hop to country.  My favorite singers are A Boogie, Summer Walker, Bryson Tiller, and Chris Brown. Some of my hobbies include: playing volleyball, reading romance/fantasy novels, crocheting, and thrifting.  

As a senior in high school, I still am not sure what I want to do with my career path.  For years I wanted to be an engineer but now I’m leaning towards medicine.  Maybe both? I love math because almost everything is determined.  In math, you can solve something with an equation or a step-by-step process.  Chemistry is my favorite science probably it’s the perfect mixture of math and science.  Then there is psychology, why people are born the way they are, and how the environment is a part of the influence is so interesting to me.  Lastly, when it comes to non-stem-related topics I love creative writing.  Writing stories, putting images in readers’ heads, etc., and reading stories like this are very entertaining.