How has the pandemic impacted teenagers‘ emotional and mental health? What does empathy for others look like for them?

Seventeen-year-old Naomi Lawrence shares her thoughts on how she sees empathy within her friends and family.

Recently, two of my friends lost close relationships. One of them had to leave her best friend, while the other had to leave her boyfriend. They both had committed relationships lasting many years. I know how hard it can be to lose someone you’re close to, or someone you thought would be in your life forever, as I experienced it too. Ending strong emotional relationships can lead to teenagers feeling unmotivated, self-conscious, and apathetic. My way of showing empathy was continuously reaching out, giving advice, and reminding them that I’m here to support them regardless of the outcome.

Being able to consider their perspectives and recognize their emotions was the key factor in showing empathy.

 

The Oxford Dictionary describes empathy as “the ability to understand and share the feelings of another” but it’s so much more than these words in a book or on a screen. Feeling empathy for someone can deepen connections, strengthen relationships, and can even become a pinnacle moment in someone’s life.

 

 

Acts of kindness

 

A few years back, my friend called, telling me they were sick. Knowing the awful feeling, I decided to buy them hot chocolate, cough candy, and a bag of their favourite chips. They thanked me, saying, “You’re the best friend in the whole world!” Being empathetic can be an emotional booster, as I was elated by their happiness and delighted to make my friend feel better. Although a bit cringy, I like to spend my time watching YouTube videos of people showing kindness. In some videos, people would go around paying random strangers’ rent, or giving free laptops to students in university. Many people receiving the gifts say, “this is the best thing that’s ever happened to me” and tend to remember those life-changing memories for a lifetime. Kindness is based on the action while empathy is the emotional connection attached to it. The individuals giving gifts recognized the needs and struggles of others. They felt empathy as they understood the strenuous hustle that people endure every day.

 

 

The difference that

empathy makes

 

One time, I got injured and was admitted into the hospital. Many people showed empathy by sending food, cards, prayers, and well wishes. This is an event I remember to this day that makes me content to reflect on. People being understanding towards me made me feel supported, cared for, and gave me hope that I would surely recover.

 

On the other hand, there have been countless situations where I have encountered friends who have invalidated my feelings or put the blame on me. It only pushed me further away, as it created a void that made me feel unsupported, alone, and unheard. Unfortunately, others feel the same way. When this happens, you feel excluded and isolated. That’s why having someone show compassion and actively listen gives the sense of having a voice instead of being shut out. As a result, empathy can play a prime component in someone’s life. One can voice their opinions and struggles while others either learn or relate to those experiences.

 

 

Empathy during the

pandemic

 

I believe that this is the time when people have shown the most empathy. During the pandemic, there are thousands of families and friends who lost loved ones and are still facing these battles today. In these situations, showing empathy can spark new connections and strengthen them, as you’re able to discuss and understand one another due to going through similar experiences. In addition, the pandemic not only affected families emotionally, but has impacted youth and adolescents in unseen ways. More teenagers are now depressed, suffer from anxiety, or have increased mental health issues.

 

I know that during quarantine I became completely numb. Not only did I struggle with keeping up with my friends, I also struggled to stay positive. I became emotionally and physically drained. When I went back to school, I felt more rejuvenated as I was able to be empathetic and could connect with my friends. Most of us had gone through the same waves of emotions while in quarantine. When talking to my friends, I felt understood and knew I wasn’t alone.

 

To add, since parents started to understand the tensions placed on adolescents from online learning, social media, and a constantly changing environment, many showed empathy by communicating and encouraging their kids. Most teachers were empathetic, as they understood all the pressure and emotional strain that was placed on students, so they offered more guidance during classes and didn’t overload us with assignments.

 

Empathy can be shown in the smallest actions but can result in hope and courage for numerous people. Kindness never hurts, and yet it can create such meaningful and connected experiences that may last forever.