There is no doubt that teens have felt the impacts of the pandemic, challenging their social and mental welfare due to the lack of physical interactions and disrupted routine. Overall, there have been both negative and positive repercussions on their emotional well-being. Teens are learning first-hand how to navigate an uncertain world and are learning to live in the moment. The pandemic has also forced teens to face their feelings of turmoil and stress and turn to their elders, who do not necessarily know for themselves how to deal with the impacts of the pandemic.

Some takeaways from the pandemic are to focus on self-care, be optimistic about the future and learn how to enjoy the little things. Moreover, teens are learning how to communicate and express gratitude for what is achieved and how to express empathy for those who are suffering around us.

Deborah Levy (MSW), Social Worker at the West Island Therapy Centre and mom of three children including twins in their early teens, provides some insight to parents from what she has personally experienced as a mom and what she has professionally observed during the pandemic. She understands the hardships that her own twins and patients are experiencing from missing out on pivotal life moments such as graduations, social trips and special birthdays. She suggests that parents should make an effort to celebrate their child’s successes in all ways that they can, virtually and safely at a distance.

She also suggests that teens take the time to accept their feelings during this pandemic and not brush them aside to avoid them, but rather, focus their energies into learning more about themselves and creating stronger bonds with their families. “Although this has been an extremely difficult period of time for everyone, believe it or not there is a small silver lining to the pandemic. As unfortunate as it is, it has forced everyone to slow down,” she says. “Pre-COVID, many families spent their days running, running to work and school, running to after-school activities and sports and filling their weekends with more activities, gatherings and parties. With all the hustle and bustle, important quality family time had been lost. However, COVID has almost pulled the emergency parking brake on all of us and has slowed everything down for the most part.  It has allowed these teenagers to spend more time with their parents, their siblings and just more time with themselves.”

As a therapist and a mother, Levy encourages our children to get to know themselves better, but also to get to know their siblings and their parents even more. Inquire about each other’s likes and dislikes, what each enjoys doing. She suggests that family members can teach a parent or sibling a new hobby or learn a new hobby. “There is so much to learn about each other when things slow down. One day we will get back to ‘normal’ so take this time to solidify these important relationships,” says Levy. “It is also really important to focus on self-care, focus on what you want and what you need and most importantly voice those needs to those around you.”