The pandemic is taking a steep toll on the mental health of young people, according to a report from the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The report surveyed high school students nationwide and found nearly half have felt persistently sad or hopeless during the pandemic.
These effects from the pandemic are likely to leave lasting imprints on young people as they age, says Dr. Jonathan Mermin, director of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC’s lead Center for monitoring and addressing school-based health.
“There is a large literature about adverse childhood experiences that show long term effects, negative effects, whether it’s from stress, anxiety,” he says. “A lot of the health we see over time can be tied back to experiences as youth.”
The report also found students of color, female and LGBTQ young people reported higher levels of poor mental health. And most students surveyed say they experienced difficulties completing schoolwork.
