The Mental Health of School Students and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the social distancing procedures that many countries have implemented have caused disruptions to daily activities. The first preventive procedures taken by responsible authorities are the closing of schools. In spite of these preventive procedures may be considered critical to contain the rapid outbreak of COVID-19, they will undoubtedly have short and long term consequences for the mental health of school students. The movement restrictions, school closures and stay-at-home during the COVID-19 pandemic will likely lead to a rise in the rates of domestic violence, loneliness, depression, fear, panic and anxiety, and substance use among school students. In this context, some procedures should be taken into consideration to help the students in minimizing the mental health consequences such as develop ways to interact with students to overcome loneliness and bridge the social distance. In addition, intervening in the event of violence cases involving children or their families because those sectors of the community may have not an opportunity to report and order urgent help.