Experiences from a Global Pandemic

Wuhan Town's in Hubei; Near picturesque Xiling Gorge; The river Yangtze deep and wide; divides the Jianghan plains on the eastern side;

A more beautiful kaleidoscope of colours I never spied; But, then begins my ditty.

In 2020, just a few months ago, the city’s folk suffered so, from corona, was a pity.

Bats! They spread their virus to the pigs and cats; And even to pangolins in their cages; Crossing borders this insidious virus, in rapid stages.

PANDEMIC!! PANDEMIC!! Trial vaccines started by the academics; All International borders were now sealed. Masses started dying; Global citizens started crying.

No more church on Sundays, No more fundays; No more shaking hands; All that was banned.

Social Distancing became the norm; And protective wear became our uniform; Masks, gloves; No more hugs! And drinking from each other’s coffee mugs.

Quarantine was the scene, Seems a bit mean; but we all needed to keep extra clean.

The WHO was consulting; But Donald Trump stopped their US funding; Countries united; But this Coronavirus still frighten, Thermometers, hand sanitizers and testing; Everyone was investing.

All sporting activities ceased, And no longer were soccer players the bees knees; We all now, turned to Doctors; Nurses and health care workers for their expertise; Their constant exposure made them our new key roles; Respecting and appreciating them, now our superheroes.

Restaurants, movies, ballet and theatre; Past times, no one can be there. Economists projected; While the people reflected; And waited For an affordable vaccine to be perfected.

By Raul James Rajkumar
17. May2020
South Africa
Source: Link to poem on the voicesofyouth webpage.

Now more than ever, it's vital to discuss mental health openly and without judgment. This year, we have all been affected in some way by the several tragic events that have taken place, from the Australian bushfires to the COVID-19 pandemic. Feelings of grief, anxiety and loneliness have become more frequent for millions of people, and receiving support has become more difficult due to social distancing restrictions. Despite this, mental health is still unbelievably stigmatised and is seen as a taboo topic in many cultures and societies.

In order to break this barrier, we must welcome discussions about our mental wellbeing and how to better take care of our minds, just as we would with our physical wellbeing. As someone who has struggled with their mental health like many young people, I want to talk about the things I've learnt mental health and how you can stay in control of your emotions in such an uncertain climate.

Something I'm guilty of is letting my emotions run my life. I'll be functioning perfectly fine - carrying out daily tasks, socialising, exercising... until I suddenly feel down again. From there on, the day is cancelled. I'll sit in my room in an unsettled state for hours, too tired to do anything productive but too irritable to stay still. I can stay this way the entire evening until I finally decide to sleep and hope that I feel better in the morning. This, for reference, is not a good example of a healthy coping mechanism. However, with lockdown and the lack of schedule it brought, this became much more common for me, and I had to discover better ways of coping before it took a greater toll on my health.

One of the most crucial things I discovered to do when experiencing a strong negative emotion is to acknowledge it. It sounds simple enough, but it's all too easy to push a negative thought to the back of our minds and try not to think about it. Speaking from experience, this never works. It only leaves the issue to accumulate space in your head, taking up more of your energy each time you attempt to brush it off. You must have the courage to simply sit with that emotion and recognise its presence. It's good practice to try to name that emotion. What are you feeling right now? Anxious? Upset? Angry? Disconnected? This will allow you to begin understanding your current state of mind and see your emotions from an objective point of view, reducing the impact they have on your life.

Another powerful tool is the acceptance and validation of your own emotions. Often, we convince ourselves that we are being irrational when we feel negative emotions, telling ourselves things like "It could be worse" or "I'm being too sensitive". These thoughts can be amplified even further when others convince us of these things too, calling us ridiculous or childish when we open up about our feelings. However, your brain is still very much an organ (arguably one of the most important in your body, too) and it deserves to be treated that way. You wouldn't call your legs overdramatic when they ached the day after a long run. You wouldn't argue with your rumbling stomach after not eating breakfast or lunch. So, why are we so quick to dismiss the way our mind feels? It can be hard to understand the exact cause of our emotions and mental state when there are so many factors that can affect our mood, but simply letting yourself feel whatever you're feeling gives you the power to work with your mind, rather than against it.

Making notes and lists can also be surprisingly helpful in aiding your mental wellbeing. Translating thoughts circulating your head onto paper can help you accept them, as well as giving your brain more room to breathe as you let those feelings escape through your pen onto the page. You can also use lists as a tool to bring positivity in your life. Write a list of things you are grateful for, or little things you noticed today that made you happy. Studies have shown gratitude can increase positive emotions and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and it only takes a few minutes each day to express gratitude; this helped me stay calm and optimistic on the days I struggled most. To-do lists can also be surprisingly helpful when your mind feels cloudy and worn out. Writing out all the tasks you want to do that day removes them from your working memory, which can help you think more clearly and ease anxiety when your life feels cluttered. As you move through the day, you can simply look at your list, rather than racking your memory for all the chores and assignments you have to do that day. Lists not only organize your life, but can also give us a sense of control and calmness in our daily lives and allow us to feel more positivity when we feel hopeless.

Self-care is vital to emotional wellbeing (and it's not always the "bubble bath and scented candles" type that you find on Instagram, either). Self-care is doing what your brain and body need most in that moment. Just five to ten minutes of exercise or meditation can make you feel happier and calmer. Listen to a podcast, journal, go for a run, take a nap, practise a hobby, stretch, sit in complete silence - whatever you think you need in that moment to improve your wellbeing. Taking care of yourself should be your priority above anything else, as only then can you navigate the rest of your life with a rested, healthy mind.

What works for others may not work for you, so experiment with different types of activities and see which ones make you the most content in the long run. However, don't mistake self-care with over-indulgence. The difference is that indulgence often satisfies short-term desires, but makes you feel unhappier over time. If you find yourself over-indulging, allow yourself forgiveness (no one is perfect), but gently bring your attention to a more mindful activity.

As I discussed in the beginning, talking about your emotions is more important than ever. Humans are naturally social creatures and the limited social contact over the past few months may have caused many to feel isolated and unable to talk about their wellbeing. However, in the age of the internet, we are more connected than ever.

If you can read this blog right now, you can probably also message a friend or even video-call your grandma. There is always a way to reach those you trust most for those vital conversations. If you feel you can't talk to those closest to you, there are countless helplines and websites with qualified professionals who will listen to you and give you advice. Making mental health an open conversation is mutually beneficial for everyone; mental health is something we all have, so being able to talk about it will help us get through hardships a little easier. Part of breaking the stigma is being there for others too; check in with your family and friends regularly and listen to them with empathy and compassion. You've probably heard it a hundred times, but it still holds true - treat others the way you want to be treated.

If there's anything we can learn from these unprecedented times, it's to take care of yourself and others. This World Mental Health Day, give yourself the space to feel whatever you're feeling and the time to take care of your mind.

By Philosarah
10. October 2020
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Source: Link to the blog post on the voicesofyouth webpage.

With the start of a new school year just around the corner and the COVID-19 pandemic still in full swing, students' views on going back to school are divided. The question of whether to return to school or not is an everyday conversation topic and has been more relevant than ever before.

So, what should we do when the pandemic is still far from being over but our right to education is at stake?

Quality of online classes has been heavily debated ever since the schools were closed last time. While there are many perks of online classes and learning from home has shown its good sides, many believe that it is not as good as face-to-face lessons we used to attend in school.

There are many subjects, such as maths or physics, that are hard to learn from a computer screen but much easier when you can ask the teacher to repeat or further explain something that you don't really understand. Furthermore, a huge part of going to school is socializing with our classmates and developing different social skills. We can hardly do that from behind the screen. The need to learn and get the best education possible has been the main reason why many believe that return to schools at the start of the new school year is necessary.

With the start of a new school year just around the corner and the COVID-19 pandemic still in full swing, students' views on going back to school are divided. The question of whether to return to school or not is an everyday conversation topic and has been more relevant than ever before.

So, what should we do when the pandemic is still far from being over but our right to education is at stake?

Quality of online classes has been heavily debated ever since the schools were closed last time. While there are many perks of online classes and learning from home has shown its good sides, many believe that it is not as good as face-to-face lessons we used to attend in school.

There are many subjects, such as maths or physics, that are hard to learn from a computer screen but much easier when you can ask the teacher to repeat or further explain something that you don't really understand. Furthermore, a huge part of going to school is socializing with our classmates and developing different social skills. We can hardly do that from behind the screen. The need to learn and get the best education possible has been the main reason why many believe that return to schools at the start of the new school year is necessary.

All I’m hoping is that everyone will continue to take the necessary precautions so that we could go back to our normal lives.

The future is in the hands of the young people, and education is what will shape us into people who will make the world a better place for all.

By Borna Stiglec
18. September 2020
Croatia

Source: Link to text on the voicesofyouth webpage.

I want to knock at the doors of humanity again
And smile as it welcomes me in
As I ask - Don’t you want a proof
Of my sexuality, my religion, and creed
A card to say, I am accepted in your realm
That I’ve tampered and rebuilt myself
To fit your normal
That I no longer resemble me
But hey at least you’ll accept this
And it says - Don’t be silly, we’re all flowers from the same seed
Humanity, love, that’s the only label you’ll ever need

I want to celebrate the bells of Christmas eve,
Dance to the tunes of bhajans sung by priests
Partake in the discussions of atheism
That’s the diversity I want to see
Where the normal for the color of the skin
Is brown and black and white
And every shade in between
Where gender and sexuality is not a black and white fix.

And as the next generation
Opens its eyes to its first rendezvous with the sky
I want to tell them, it’s the most beautiful place
On heaven and earth
That it’s a kind place
Because that is how it chose to be
That humanity became humane again
Since the last time.

By Malvika
24. October 2020
India
Source: Link to poem on the voicesofyouth webpage.