This pandemic has affected my mental health to an extent I cannot even articulate. I used to take the word mental health very lightly until online schooling struck the lives of thousands of students like me. I strongly retaliate against the continuation of any further online education.
The policymakers do not realize how depressing, anxious and troublesome it is to sit in front of the screens every single day from 8 a.m. till the day ends. Continuation of education in uncertainty seems to be more important than the physical and mental well being of the students.
Even the ones with the most grit are exhausted and are jaded. In the entire 11th grade, I went through severe emotional breakdowns. I couldn’t go motivate myself beyond a limit.
I am done. I do not want any further mental torture. Our futures are uncertain. Class XII students don’t know about their boards, entrances. Everything about their futures seems bleak.
When I had online classes going on, I would plead with everyone to maintain silence in my room to create an environment wherein I could concentrate, but cooperation was and remains to be difficult.
How does the system expect high school students to bring out the best of them while studying in a monotonous, sombre and isolated atmosphere? I do not like to sleep at night because I have the fear that I have to sit in front of the flashy screen the next morning, attend series of classes and get loads of burden.
There is a huge difference between giving sympathy and being empathetic.
If you step in the shoes of the students, then you will realise how hard it has been for us.
This is my story of mental breakdowns and my coming to terms with the realisation that mental health requires adequate attention and care.