My experience dealing with stress and anxiety through the pandemic

Saying goodbye to my friends and professors, I left for India in March 2020, thinking in six months’ time I would be back walking around the Strand and up to my usual routine. Three lockdowns and 19 months later, and only having returned to campus this term, I realised how wishful I had been.

Sitting in the first lockdown, I felt like my experience was not the same as those around me. I saw people picking up new skills and finding hobbies while I was struggling to develop a routine. At the time, I didn’t realise how much this was affecting my mental health and now two years later, I’m starting to come to terms with the work I still need to do in order to feel like my pre-pandemic self.

The pandemic has impacted everyone in different ways. Many are still coping with loss, social anxiety, separation anxiety and depression. 

The Mental Health Foundation has found that 74% of students surveyed felt anxious or worried to cope with living alone and uncertainty during lockdowns. Figures were highest amongst young adults and almost 45% of students were concerned about worsening mental health.

Social isolation has led students to fear social gatherings, travel has a new level of stress with the added anxiety of separation, and the devasting loss many have suffered will create a long-lasting imprint on hearts and minds. The pandemic has not only impacted our day to day routine but also friendships, relationships, self-identity, and our academic performance. It is essential that we are kind to ourselves, acknowledge this and above all, seek help if we need it.

To support us with this, KCLSU organised a Wellbeing Week putting on events and classes to help students manage their schedules, destress and avoid burnout. If you missed this, don’t worry, KCLSU have a webpage dedicated to well-being advice, services and events

Being mentally well should be the centre of all learning. Our emotional and mental well-being relates to every aspect of our life. Whether it's work, hobbies or our day to day lives, it’s all connected by a string that starts from our mind. Nothing can truly work if we don’t nurture our mental well-being.

That’s why King’s College London has counselling and Mental Health Advisors on hand to offer advice and a safe space to talk if you ever need it. They offer confidential in-person and online support. Non-UK based students can use their online support check-in appointments and use their partner organisation Pro Counselling for free and confidential counselling support. You can find out more and learn how to register for this service by going to their website.

If you need urgent mental health support, there are numerous UK services that you can contact. Here are a few below:

• Samaritans
• Shout
• Stay Alive app
• Listening Place

Don’t hesitate to use the resources mentioned above as the health of your mind is as essential as the health of your body. The important thing to know is that you are not alone, the reasons these resources exist is because everyone can benefit from mental health support at some point or another. The most challenging and most liberating step is to reach out.