The Impact of Long-Distance Learning on Students’ Mental Health

Evidently in the Irvine Unified School District, students have had increased strain on mental health from new isolated learning environments resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. With a loss of the in-person interaction factor, a Hybrid learning model, was put in place so that students could easily assimilate into a new virtual learning environment. However, this new system of learning has left students with a bigger risk for mental health issues, as stated by an anonymous student, “With online learning, I’m finding myself harder to connect with peers and teachers who support me in school.” 

With an online classroom, there can be a lack of social interaction as students learn individually in their own homes, a key factor in preventing mental health disorders. Instead of being able to socialize with teachers, friends, and school staff members, students are left looking for someone they can talk to other than their family. The result of social isolation is an increased strain on mental health, as students keep the same workload but none of the fun, as felt by Siddhanth K., a student at Northwood HS. 

One way schools are trying to bring social interaction to online classes is via breakout rooms. Through this feature, students are placed in video meetings together to foster interaction. 

However, many students complain of the complete silence and awkwardness and awkwardness in these rooms, as described by Anshil P., a student at Portola HS. Currently, options for increasing social interaction in online classes seem limited.

To combat this, most students are opting for the Hybrid variant of schooling, allowing them to experience social interaction. However, some IUSD schools have seen COVID-19 cases, including Woodbridge and Portola High. With many fearing of getting the disease, students are now demanding schools to let them continue their education through Irvine Virtual Academy. As of now, a petition regarding the matter has reached over 1,000 student signatures. 

With social isolation being a key disadvantage to online classes, preventing the spread of COVID-19 is as important. As Governor Newsom of California said multiple times, students should only go to in-person schooling if it is safe enough.