For my issue brief, I want to step away from criminology to my other love –– psychology.  I want to focus on learning more information regarding student’s mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic and far-reaching results of the mental health consequences (biomarkers in our generation and future ones).  By studying this information and possible long-term effects, I hope to help academic institutions implement support systems for students and strengthen high-stress induced mental health awareness in individuals for their futures.

I think an obvious cause of this issue is the pandemic itself.  Boiling that down, outcomes of the pandemic including isolation, increased health/social anxiety, boredom, income loss, academics etc could all cause high-stress periods for students, resulting in an altered stress response and mental health issues.  I want to research specifically the result of stress caused by the pandemic and therapies to help with coping.

I think a great place to start raising awareness for this issue is through Capacity builders.  Through posters, public awareness, community activities, etc, we could raise awareness of the intricacies of this issue.  However, to vastly implement change in students’ mental health, I think a system change is necessary.  Whether this be within small segments of the school’s policy or a change in school systems entirely, a system-wide change would be best.