Mocs News Reporting the news that matters most to UTC
By: Noah Browne
The Corona Virus has had the world locked away in isolation for nearly a year. Concerns of pathological spread has led to the complete remodel of society. Business hours changing, supply chains crippled, and access to resources is becoming growingly scarce.
Though constant isolation is inarguably effective at fighting the spread of covid-19, we may be overlooking devastating effects it is having at the individual level. Dr. Mark Browne weighs in on the topic saying, “Isolation is crippling. It can debilitate a person.” He continues stating that symptoms isolation can manifest physically as well as psychologically.
Students are at an even higher risk of mental health issues. Bombarded with work-load, work-life, and the basic stresses of becoming an adult; they are left to suffer alone in isolation.
This kind of prolonged deviation from social stimulation will have a lasting effect on thousands of students.
“I find myself feeling more anxious, even depressed sometimes. It wasn’t like this before Covid. I was happy and joyous, but my mental health has definitely deteriorated since Covid hit,” says University of Tennessee student, Robyn Schmenger.
Schmenger is only one of thousands of students, struggling to cope with the yearlong isolation that has been forced upon them.
“We didn’t ask for this, but…I guess it’s what we’ve got,” says Schmenger.
With lock-downs continuing into the new year. Student mental health is sure to be on the down-hill for the upcoming semester.
