By Ahmad Syahmi Ghazali
LAST year, the COVID-19 virus shook the world to the core. The pandemic spread at an alarming speed, infecting and affecting millions globally.
Besides impacting livelihoods, the pandemic has also affected mental health. The fear of the unknown and uncertainty, without a doubt induced anxiety, and increased unease.
There is a question that popped up in society’s mind recently. What is the impact of COVID-19 on university students’ mental health?
In my opinion, the impacts are the increase of anxiety and uneasiness level, the rise of distress level and changed students’ life.
Almost all universities shifted their mode of teaching from physical to virtual. This immediate change to remote learning has somehow increased anxiety and uneasiness among them.
Students were used to face-to-face learning with their lecturers in a comfortable environment. However, they have to adapt to their new environment with online learning using e-learning platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Global Open Access Learning System (GOALS) and Zoom.
This sudden switch of learning method not only affected their performance but also triggered depression among some of them.
Thus, it is essential to keep tabs on their mental health and provide them with the necessary help.
Before this pandemic, students usually enjoy leisure time in the evening by indulging in extra-curricular activities such as sports. They do other things besides studying to release their stress.
Family, society support vital
But since the pandemic landed on our shores, one of the measures implemented by the Government was social distancing, aimed at preventing COVID-19 from spreading among the people.
Thus, students were no longer allowed to gather for any activity and this surely makes them feel lonely and increasing anxiety.
Hence, family members play an essential role in supporting their children from enduring loneliness pangs.
In the long run, there will be psychological impact to COVID-19 which may affect society all together, especially students who need to cope with a new norm in their daily life.
Moreover, the imposed restrictions would certainly elevate the psychological pressure of university students as their learning progress was postponed indefinitely.
Students who live in rural areas seem to be one of the most affected groups rather than students who live in urban areas. This is due to the limited Internet coverage in such areas compare to the city.
For instance, they will have a difficulty in joining the online classes provided by their lecturers because of the loss of network. These unfavourable circumstances surely give rise to their stress level especially those who face coping and adjustment difficulties.
An increase in symptoms of depression and anxiety is already being reported in several countries during the pandemic. To date, these nationwide closures are impacting almost 70% of the world’s student population
Hopefully, the society will take serious action and adhere to SOPs to curb the virus from spreading and address mental health issues stemming from it. – July 4, 2021
Ahmad Syahmi Ghazali is a third-year student from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
