Coronavirus has taken a toll on the mental health of students – The National

Coronavirus has taken a toll on the mental health of students – The National

Coronavirus has taken a toll on the mental health of students. Covid-19 has skewed the well-being of some university students who are now dealing with anxiety and depression. The dramatic transition to online learning - and the sometimes unanswered questions related to this process - has increased academic anxiety among several university students I spoke to.. Students already experiencing mental health problems such as academic anxiety or depression are now more vulnerable still.. Rawya El Lakis, a student of International Studies at the American University of Sharjah, says the switch to online learning has increased her anxiety levels.. Rawya has been undergoing cognitive behavioural therapy for depression and anxiety, prior to and during the period of online learning.. Another student, who did not wish to be named, says he considers social interactions in the classroom an integral part of his academic performance.. While her university does provide counselling services, she wishes that it had developed a better support system for students.. One student told me that this period of remote learning has helped his time-management skills, giving special mention to the fact that classes are now being recorded.. All the students I spoke to agree that these extraordinary circumstances necessitated