ADOLESCENTS IN COVID-19

10 TIPS TO CONNECT WITH YOUTH DURING THIS UNUSUAL TIME

WANT TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING YOUTH WHEN YOU CAN’T MEET IN PERSON?

HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND.

1. Having an accurate understanding of what the virus is and how it operates can help alleviate fear while also giving adequate reason to be considerate of others and maybe help youth understand why so much that is important to them right now is on hold or cancelled. A great description of how this virus works can be found here by a high school biology teacher that explains what an RNA virus does and how it works, and also how the body fights it.

2. Encourage empathy; let them know that they are not just protecting themselves by following these guidelines, but that they are also protecting the elderly and immunocompromised, people whose immune systems don’t work properly or are weak. These others may not fare as well if they contract COVID.

3. Giving an anxious person something they themselves can do to protect or help themselves and others goes a long way towards helping them feel safe and settled. For example, washing their hands, keeping a 6-foot distance from others, staying home, etc. This is a good website for do’s and don’ts written for teens.

4. Help support mental health by giving them tips on what to do while stuck at home. And encouraging them to do it. For example:

  • Social distancing does not have to mean emotional distancing; use technology to connect widely;

  • Exercise and physical activity, daily if possible;

  • Learning and intellectual engagement—books, reading, limited internet;

  • Positive family time—working to counter negativity;

  • Alone time, outside if possible, but inside too; but remember, don’t isolate;

  • Focused meditation and relaxation;

  • Remember the things that you really enjoy doing, that you can do in this situation, and find a way to do them;

  • Limit exposure to television and internet news; choose small windows and then find ways to mentally cleanse yourself of it if it becomes too overwhelming; and

  • Things like online gaming can also help with the feeling of isolation if teens are playing with friends.

5. There is even an opportunity here for group support, getting teens together in this way to talk about their struggles and ways they have found to cope or encourage each other. Or try a virtual “meeting” with a group of youth. Start brainstorming a new project (even if you can’t act on it yet) or activities you can do as a group now. Video chatting has come a long way and there are many platforms for it such as: Google Hangouts, Skype, Zoom, Facetime, and more.

6. Open communication for kids and teens to vent about their frustrations, space to be angry without someone telling them that things are worse for other people or other places. This is especially important right now, since many teens are now going to miss prom, sports event, and graduation ceremonies. Sometimes youth just need someone on the other end so they don’t feel so alone or isolated.

7. Remind adolescents that this is not forever. There is no timeline for how long this is going to last and that can be scary, and they may feel like they will be miserable and cut off indefinitely. Letting them know often that things will return to normal eventually, and that they will see their friends again can go a long way.

8. Give teens options for making a difference, whether by sharing their stories or suggestions online, or volunteering from home. There is an ongoing research study recruiting teens (14-26) with symptoms of depression or anxiety to contribute their online stories anonymously and connect with each other. There is even some small compensation for their contribution. That can be found here. Also, the website dosomething.org has great volunteer opportunities for young people which can be done remotely.

9. Encourage teens to have some kind of emotional outlet, whether that’s journaling, drawing, painting, playing an instrument, etc. This is also a good opportunity to learn a new skill or hobby, and there are endless resources online for that very thing. Ask them what have they wanted to try but haven’t had time to learn.

10. Make your mental health and self-care a priority too. Also remember:

  • Things will get better eventually, and back to normal.

  • Most people are good, and people are going to persevere and help each other.

  • This is a new challenge for everyone.

  • This is a particularly strange and unprecedented situation; humor helps once in a while.

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES

  • Dr. Hina Talib has a great Instagram post about talking to teens about the epidemic which can be found here.

  • This Buzzfeed article has some testimonies from teens all over the country on how they are dealing with the epidemic.

  • Helpful article on how to talk to teens about COVID-19.

  • Tips for managing emotions of kids and teens during the epidemic.

  • The Search Institute provides a checklist of things to say and do to support youth growth during this time.

Updates: As we come across more tips and resources we will add them here.

  • This post shares conversation tips specifically for parents on talking to teens

  • Have questions on how COVID is affecting educational requirements for adolescents? See if your answer is here.

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