School and education were a major concern for teenagers during lockdown: podcast

The covid-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns have taken a toll on teenagers' mental health, with a new study revealing girls have been hit harder than boys.

According to Professor of pharmacology at James Cook University, Zoltan Sarnyai, the state of school and what will happen with their education was one of the principal concerns for teenagers, particularly for senior students.

“Poor mental health influences school results, behaviours, interaction with others; and their ability to concentrate, learn and retain information,” Sarnyai said.

For this age group, interaction with peers and teachers is crucial to their development and future, Sarnyai said, with poor interpersonal skills resulting in a withdrawal from school life.

Sarnyai joined Education Review to discuss the consequences of Covid-19 on teenagers' mental health and how teachers and school can help them manage their stress.