Young People Have Been Especially Impacted By The COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a seismic effect on communities across the country, and young people have been especially impacted by the ways in which their everyday lives have been altered. The disruptions were widespread – school buildings closed, opportunities for connecting with peers were limited, communities were dealing with loss and upheaval. While the pandemic has affected all students, the experiences of disruption and adversity have not affected all students equally. According to the CDC, more than 1 in 3 high school students experienced poor mental health during the pandemic and nearly half of students felt persistently sad or hopeless. The range of impacts on youth’s daily lives was broad – including difficulties, family economic impacts, hunger, and abuse in the home. You can read more about the CDC’s study results regarding Disruptions to School and Home Life Among High School Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey, United States, January–June 2021.