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Evidence Shows Pandemic is Taking a Toll on Students’ Mental Health

Feeling Stressed | Photo by Kayli Thompson | The Wright State Guardian


Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the diagnosis rate for psychiatric disorders has continually increased across the nation. Wright State University’s (WSU) Counseling and Wellness Center (CWS) is also reporting evidence of the pandemic taking a toll on student’s mental health. 

Recent research 

The University of Oxford recently reported their findings on a study about the impact of coronavirus on coronavirus survivors. Their study found that one in every five coronavirus survivors was also diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder within 90 days of the diagnosis. These disorders include anxiety, depression and insomnia. 

“People have been worried that COVID-19 survivors will be at greater risk of mental health problems, and our findings in a large and detailed study show this to be likely,” said the study’s lead and psychology professor at the University of Oxford Paul Harrison at the time of the study’s publishing. “Services need to be ready to provide care, especially since our results are likely to be underestimates of the actual number of cases.” 

In addition to the mental health of coronavirus survivors, a study reported by the KFF, a nonprofit health news organization, found that over 50% of adults are reporting that the pandemic is negatively impacting their mental health. 

WSU 

The WSU CWS staff is reporting that the coronavirus is impacting WSU students’ mental health as well. 

“Clients list the following as the primary areas where COVID is having a negative impact: mental health, motivation or focus, academics, loneliness or isolation and missed experiences or opportunities,” said Director of CWS Robert Rando. “31% of clients report that the COVID-19 pandemic and related events are some of the reasons that they are seeking services.” 

However, utilizing resources WSU has available for students can help them overcome these challenges.  

“In ODS (Office of Disabilities), mental health diagnoses make up about a third of our students. That has been pretty steady from pre-pandemic, but gradually rising over the years. We strongly encourage our students to utilize CWS and other community support systems and we are willing to check in with our students regularly if it helps them,” said ODS Case Manager Angela Masten.  

For information on the services CWS provides, go to: http://www.wright.edu/student-affairs/health-and-wellness/counseling-and-wellness  


Kaitlyn Chrosniak

News Reporter

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