“I can’t visit or meet my friends or family anymore, it’s kind of hard without them” : the effects of COVID-19 on students’ mental health
Laitila, Jasmin; Lindqvist, Nora (2021)
Laitila, Jasmin
Lindqvist, Nora
2021
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202104265809
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202104265809
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of the thesis was to promote students’ mental health, and to find out the effects COVID-19 has had so far on well-being and mental health of the youth in Cork City Learning Support Services (CCLSS). One goal of the thesis was also to find out the safety measures taken in CCLSS these days and how the staff in the school has been supporting its pupils.
First in the theoretical part the focus was on youth mental health in general, as well as in UK and Ireland. The theory part also covers the situation regarding COVID-19 in Ireland. In the thesis the process and measures that the Irish government has been taking since the start of the pandemic till the year 2021 are gone through thoroughly.
The data was analysed by using a thematic analysis. After this the material was gathered into themes and sub-themes, which focused on mental health and school/employment.
According to the results, it was clear that the pandemic has had a big toll on students’ mental health, and they have had to adapt into completely new ways of learning for them. Students felt that loneliness, isolation, and concern for loved ones caused depression. Motivation was one of the key points that came up in the survey answers. It was important for the students to stay motivated during the hard times and they also have been pleased with the support they have been getting from CCLSS.
First in the theoretical part the focus was on youth mental health in general, as well as in UK and Ireland. The theory part also covers the situation regarding COVID-19 in Ireland. In the thesis the process and measures that the Irish government has been taking since the start of the pandemic till the year 2021 are gone through thoroughly.
The data was analysed by using a thematic analysis. After this the material was gathered into themes and sub-themes, which focused on mental health and school/employment.
According to the results, it was clear that the pandemic has had a big toll on students’ mental health, and they have had to adapt into completely new ways of learning for them. Students felt that loneliness, isolation, and concern for loved ones caused depression. Motivation was one of the key points that came up in the survey answers. It was important for the students to stay motivated during the hard times and they also have been pleased with the support they have been getting from CCLSS.