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June 1, 2021
Our family has had their vaccines and there is such a relief that comes with that. I look forward to not wearing a mask anymore and yet it is unsettling when I see people dining indoors or the feeling like I have done something wrong when I hug another person who has been vaccinated. It is wonderful to finally see extended family and friends that we have only seen virtually this past year. Our family is starting to talk about trips we want to take and yet I find myself feeling overwhelmed thinking about the future. It is a reminder of how comfortable I have become with our new normal even if I have not liked it. For so long now our world has felt so small and so routine and it is challenging to start trusting that we can look forward and commit to plans. I am realizing we all need to continue to be sensitive to how others are feeling right now. There are varying opinions about whether to vaccinate especially when it comes to children. There is fear around trusting who or who has not been vaccinated as we start to take off our masks.
It's reassuring to see kids back in school and to know that many have returned to sports and will have graduations and proms as we finish the school year. I have spoken to many students though who consider themselves introverts and have found the time at home to be positive and feel anxious being back in a class setting. The past year has impacted all of us and increased depression and anxiety in many. There are still youth (and adults) who are struggling and are feeling a sense of loss from experiences and milestones that they missed out on.
There will be long-term effects from this pandemic even with the relief many of us feel as the restrictions continue to relax. Some may experience PTSD from the trauma they experienced. It is important that we prioritize self-care, and continue to check in with peers, family members, and our youth to better understand how they are feeling. Let's open up the conversations and encourage one another to express our feelings and remind one another that it is ok to ask for help.
We are working on our next series of wellness workshops that will begin Sun, August 22nd for youth, parents, and educators. If there are topics that you would like addressed, we welcome your input. Parents, students, educators, and community members can view past recordings of YouthWell wellness workshops >
Let's continue to prioritize mental health awareness and focus on the mental well-being of our youth and their families!
All our best,
Rachael Steidl and Elise Fields
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Follow our social media to learn about local resources and mental wellness tips.
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Articles worth reading...
- As the Covid-19 crisis ebbs in the U.S., experts brace for some to experience psychological fallout - "For some people, the feelings of anxiety and depression that emerged during the pandemic will resolve as routines resume. But others will face new or worse mental health issues that persist or even appear down the road, a number that could be quite large given the magnitude of despair and disruption." READ >
- The Pandemic Will Cause PTSD for Some. Here’s What We Can Do About It - "No matter who you are, this has been a uniquely challenging and traumatic year in many ways, compounded by reduced social connection as we retreated into our homes or isolated away from our loved ones to reduce the spread." READ >
- There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing, New York Times - "Languishing is the neglected middle child of mental health. It’s the void between depression and flourishing — the absence of well-being. You don’t have symptoms of mental illness, but you’re not the picture of mental health either. You’re not functioning at full capacity. Languishing dulls your motivation, disrupts your ability to focus, and triples the odds that you’ll cut back on work. It appears to be more common than major depression — and in some ways it may be a bigger risk factor for mental illness." READ >
- A Healthier Happy, by Ginny Graves, Real Simple Magazine - “People who are emotionally healthy acknowledge and accept that they and everyone around them will have ups and downs and feel a range of emotions. They’re not afraid of negative emotions and they’re able to cope with them, even if they prefer positive ones." READ >
- Disrupted - How COVID changed education, PBS News Hour [video] - Features teen voices, with a focus on the issues that affected young people, from learning loss to mental health challenges. VIEW >
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Free1 day Youth Mental Health First Aid training for parents, teachers, providers, community members. Classes: June 4, 15, July 8, 20, Aug 10, 19
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