A study conducted at Uppsala University has revealed that upper secondary school students, particularly those on theoretical programs, were less likely to seek help for mental health issues during the pandemic when forced to study at home. The study, which covers all of Sweden’s upper secondary school students between 2015-2021, showed a 4.4% decrease in mental health care for psychiatric conditions, specifically depression and anxiety, during the period of remote learning from mid-March to mid-June 2020.
Contrastingly, secondary school students aged 14-16 who continued to attend school did not experience a similar decrease in mental health care. The reduction in mental health care persisted for at least 21 months after schools reopened. The findings suggest that Sweden’s transition to distance education for 14-16-year-olds did not negatively impact their mental health.
The researchers explored potential reasons for the decline in mental health care and ruled out a general reluctance to seek care. The study also noted a significant reduction in unplanned and emergency contact with healthcare, indicating that reduced accessibility was not the primary cause. While the study couldn’t specify the exact reasons for the reduction in psychiatric disorders, it suggested possibilities such as reduced stress, more flexible schedules, decreased social pressure, and a perception of lowered academic performance demands.
The study highlights the need for further research on how the school environment affects mental health, emphasizing the unique circumstances created by distance learning during the pandemic and its impact on students’ well-being.
