As people across the United States worry about contracting the COVID-19 virus, other concerns have surfaced from mental health professionals. These concerns are not in regard to the population’s physical health\; instead, they focus on the possible impact of COVID-19, and the efforts to stop its spread could have on the mentalities of citizens.

Historically, life-changing catastrophes, such as hurricanes or terrorist attacks, have had the ability to change the psyche of humans. According to a report for JAMA Internal Medicine, 10% of adults in New York City exhibited new signs of depression following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and following the SARS epidemic, levels of PTSD and general distress rose in those affected in any way by the disease.

Students at Aspen High School are reporting that COVID-19 is impacting on their lives. The effects on kids include disappointment about not being able to see their friends, increased worry due to job loss, fears about the unknown future, and resentment towards a lack of closure to their year, or in some cases, high school career.

“There’s just something about actual human contact that technology can’t replicate, so it’s very hard to not see anyone outside my immediate family,” commented an anonymous student who responded to a Skier Scribbler poll.

Another anonymous student responding to the Skier Scribbler Poll felt that COVID-19 and the precautions it has sparked have made school more stressful.

“[COVID-19 and online school] has significantly decreased my motivation. I have also become much more stressed and had multiple panic attacks,” the anonymous student wrote.

Josh Berro is a high school counselor at Aspen High School. To stay healthy during this unique time, Berro stresses the importance of staying in contact with friends, checking in with a trusted adult daily, and finding supports that work for each individual.

“I would say that people are just really missing human interactions, whether or not they’re really an outgoing social person,” Berro said when asked how students can maintain a sense of normalcy. “I’m recommending to kids that they connect with their friends over the phone or online as much as possible.”

Berro also had a few words of advice for students who may be feeling overwhelmed by the newness of this situation.

“I really want kids to focus on things that they can control and the decisions they can make. We can’t control COVID, we can’t control the stay at home order, we can’t control you know not being with friends, but the decisions that everybody makes and how they respond [to this situation] is really going to determine that person’s character. And it’s okay to grieve. I don’t want kids to be ashamed that they’re sad,” Berro stated.

Lauren Reiss, also a school counselor at AHS, shared her outlook on how to support one another through COVID-19.

“We are all in this together. I think that will build that sense of unity\; everyone’s home life may be a little different, but nobody is immune to this issue [of COVID-19]. The more that we can share what’s going on with one another, connect, and be there for one another, I think the more we can hopefully alleviate some of those negative feelings,” Reiss shared.

If you or someone you know are struggling due to the impact of COVID-19, please reach out to Josh, Lauren, or a trusted adult. Additional support and resources can be found on the Counseling Homepage under “Resources.”