Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic created a major public health crisis that affected education, family life, and the mental health of young people. While the early response focused on controlling the virus, research shows that students faced serious psychological challenges when they lost access to in-person classes, friends, and normal support systems (Hossain et al., 2020; Jones et al., 2021). This article explores these challenges through five case studies of college students in Aizawl, India. The studies showed that stressors such as family conflict, crowded homes, pre-existing mental health issues, substance use in the household, and poverty increased risks of anxiety, insomnia, low mood, and disengagement from studies. The findings connect these experiences with research on adolescent well-being, online learning barriers, and school–community partnerships (Lee, 2020; Aucejo et al., 2020; Hertz & Barrios, 2021). The article recommends coordinated actions that put student mental health at the center of educational planning. It concludes with practice and policy suggestions to help students build resilience during long-term crises (Deci & Ryan, 2008; Ryff, 2014; Ross et al., 2020).
Authors: K.C. Lalchhandami, C. Devendiran
Keywords: Covid-19; youth; mental health; anxiety; education disruption; qualitative case study
