The MCR Pathways Lockdown Survey found that two thirds (66.8%) of young people are feeling low, more anxious and stressed since lockdown.
“It’s hard to sleep when you have a lot on your mind, especially worrying about school and your next steps since everything has been a big change and it’s not as if it’s a change that we had control over.”
“It has been so hard connecting with my friends as I haven’t really got much to talk about because I don’t do much on a day to day basis anymore. This also has affected my mental health quite badly and my stress levels are very high because I’m struggling to do work that I know I need to do.”
How lockdown has affected young people’s mental wellbeing:
“I don’t feel any different as I have no pressure on me as I’m stuck with the same people everyday. But I feel annoyed at myself for how much food I’ve been eating.”
“It’s just hard, I’m an outside person, a nature boy, I love being outside but now its gone for now so its just stressful I love my family but being with each other 24/7 puts a lot of stress on us”
“I think it’s just not knowing. The fear that none of us really understand what is going on, our exam results are still in question and, on top of that, trying to figure out a place to live after lockdown with Social Work.”
“I feel sad most of the time now and some days I can’t even get out of my bed because I just think there is nothing for me to do anyway. Then I feel anxious about school work and that I’m behind.”
The hardest thing in lockdown:
“It has been so hard connecting with my friends as I haven’t really got much to talk about because I don’t do much on a day to day basis anymore. This also has affected my mental health quite badly and my stress levels are very high because I’m struggling to do work that I know I need to do.”
“It’s been super stressful at home because my whole family routine has been flipped upside down! I live with 7 other people usually so it’s really hectic.”
“For some people school is the only social time they have and now that it’s not possible at the moment, it has impacted their mental health as it could be the only place where they feel safe and included.”
How their sleep has changed:
“It’s hard to sleep when you have a lot on your mind, especially worrying about school and your next steps since everything has been a big change and it’s not as if it’s a change that we had control over.”
“Now I have medication to help me get to sleep as I stopped sleeping altogether.”
“With not having the constant structure and routine of school, my sleeping has been greatly impacted. As a result there’s been days when I don’t even want to get out of bed and I know this is the case for a lot of others as well.”
The emotional impact of lockdown:
“I think it’s just not knowing. The fear that none of us really understand what is going on, our exam results are still in question and, on top of that, trying to figure out a place to live after lockdown with Social Work.”
“I’ve also gained so much more anger over the course of lockdown which isn’t normally like me.”
“I feel sad most of the time now and some days I can’t even get out of my bed because I just think there is nothing for me to do anyway. Then I feel anxious about school work and that I’m behind.”
General comments:
“Struggling with mental health issues makes staying at home and being excluded from daily life extremely hard as it makes my attempt at improving my mental state almost impossible for me.”
“My sleep schedule has totally flipped. I’ve been sleeping all day and been awake all night and it has been hard to get back into a normal sleeping routine where there is no daily structure.”
“It’s quite hard to learn at home since it is a completely different environment and my household is very busy which just makes it harder to concentrate and the lack of entertainment has been very hard too.”
“I seem to feel more sad and depressed and very scared due to this situation.”
“Being a young carer for my mum has made staying at home easier to do my caring role, but has made it suffocating as there is no free time to get out and relax. Even going out feels stressful as keeping distance from people is hard to do in some circumstances. Lockdown has had a strong impact on a lot of young people’s mental health in my age group including me and some of my friends.“
“When I was at school I didn’t have much time to think about stuff but, since I’m at home… I’d rather be at school. I miss so many people from school. I don’t like staying at home all the time, I would like to meet closer people to me.”
“I just feel like I’m in prison; daily exercise then back to my cell.”
“My sleeping pattern has been really bad some nights. I’m not even going to sleep. Then I’m sleeping all day. It has been really messed up.”
“I will be staying up to around 3 and 4 in the morning on House Party with my friends. We talk all night long and it’s the only way we can really keep in contact
with each other. But as I’m staying up till this time I don’t usually get up till around 12 or 1 pm.”