Stress, Anxiety
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KEY FINDINGS
Girls are experiencing newfound fear about their futures since the onset of COVID-19. Over half (52%) of girls are thinking differently about their futures since the start of the pandemic, with nearly 60% reporting fear or uncertainty regarding what the future will bring.
Loneliness and isolation are negatively impacting teen girls at alarmingly high rates. Most girls (80%) are more lonely and isolated since the onset of COVID-19, and a full one-third are much more lonely/isolated.
The majority of girls found the upheaval associated with COVID-19 detrimental to their ability to organize, concentrate and complete their school work. Most (59%) reported difficulty with academic executive functioning skills, such as organization and concentration, and more than half struggled to keep up with their school work.
COVID-19 markedly amplified the stress levels of teen girls. Nearly half of high school girls report experiencing higher stress levels than before the pandemic with 42% reporting that their life is harder than it was before.
SCHOOLS SHOULD ENSURE ADEQUATE SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL LEARNING SUPPORTS FOR GIRLS, INCLUDING THE CONSIDERATION OF MENTAL HEALTH SCREENINGS. It is clear from the research that the isolation and disconnectedness that girls are experiencing as a result of COVID-19 has had a substantial impact on their mood, motivation and engagement. In general, girls more than boys, tend to define themselves in relation to others. Their relationships are significant sources of support and being disconnected from some of their most primary sources of stability and encouragement can be detrimental to their mental health. With nearly 80% of girls reporting more isolation since COVID-19 began, it is important that schools ensure they are adequately attending to the potential mental health threats that can accompany unsupported virtual learning. With time to consider how virtual, hybrid or remote learning may look for the 2020-21 academic year, schools can ensure that their social/emotional learning and school counseling programs are even further bolstered to ensure ample accessibility for all students. The existing mental health concerns of girls may be amplified as a result of COVID-19 (isolation, depression, anxiety, etc.), yet access to supportive counseling and intervention services has become drastically limited. Schools can take extra effort to ensure that students are connected to school staff and supportive adults for both their academic and nonacademic needs, prioritizing safety and mental health as a key consideration in the development of education plans for 2020-21.
