As discussed in a previous blog post, “Empathy in Action,” a single story can impact how empathy plays a role in identity. Empathy is important because it plays the role of a person’s identity and allows others to put themselves in another person’s shoes. Especially in times of COVID-19, many people, teens in particular, deal with situations that can place a significant impact on their mental health.
The council recovery website states that, “One study found that 80% of adolescent girls feel “more lonely and isolated than before” (TCOR Marketing). Due to an increase in mental health issues, the process of using empathy must also be increased. Practicing empathy during the pandemic is a practice that everyone must learn to use.
Not only does using empathy toward others help benefit them, but it also may benefit the person using it. In an article by VeryWellMind, it discusses the key takeaway that, “There are many benefits to practicing empathy—especially during a global pandemic. In addition to helping you connect with others, being empathetic also helps you regulate your emotions in times of stress” (Cherry).
Being aware and empathetic with other people’s needs and emotions can help you understand why an individual might be acting a certain way. NoahHelps website discusses the importance of empathy during times like these and says, “Empathy and the willingness to understand are a critical part of compassion which leads to action. Think of others and look for ways you can help in your community” (Jewell).
Other ways individuals can help their community are listening to others, engaging in acts of service, and putting yourself in another person’s shoes. Although staying at home and empathizing with others seems small, this can impacts a wide variety of people.
Work Cited
Cherry, Kendra. “How to Practice Empathy During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Verywell Mind, 30 Mar. 2020, www.verywellmind.com/how-to-practice-empathy-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-4800924.
Jewell, Tiffany. “5 Tips for Practicing Empathy During the COVID-19 Pandemic – NOAH: Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health.” NOAH, Tiffany Jewell https://noahhelps.org/5-tips-for-practicing-empathy-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/
TCOR_Marketing, Author: and Category: “How COVID-19 Is Affecting Teens’ Mental Health.” Council on Recovery, 5 Oct. 2020, www.councilonrecovery.org/how-covid-19-is-affecting-teens-mental-health/.
Claire,
I like how you introduced your previous blog post and connected it to this one. I agree with your point that with the coronavirus pandemic there is a lack of empathy and understanding that people are looking for now more than ever. You used strong evidence from a variety of sources to support your claim. Additionally, your analysis of the quotes helps the reader understand your argument. I agree with your point that, “Being aware and empathetic with other people’s needs and emotions can help you understand why an individual might be acting a certain way.” This a different way a viewing the subject of empathy as a way to not only understand what someone is going through, but to also understand why they do things in a certain way.
Dear Claire
Being empathic to others, especially at the time when our world is at its knees by covid-19. It’s better to see eye to eye to know how we are all feeling. I have become lonely during this event of history, but at least, I can still be connected to others online, no matter if I know them in real life or not. We need to speak and connect with each other, in order to know that we still have hope in life.
Dear Clarie,
I very much appreciate your post, “Empathy with Covid-19”, as it discusses how people’s mental health has been greatly affected. With these troubling times, people don’t realize that people’s mental health has taken a toll on them and people need to be more considerate of that. It is saddening that people aren’t as empathetic as they should be.
One sentence you wrote that stood out to me is, “Not only does using empathy toward others help benefit them, but it also may benefit the person using it.” This shows a positive rippling effect and that actions really do make a difference.
Thank you for this writing. I look forward to what your next writing is, because you bring up issues that need to be addressed more often. I would like you to continue writing about the pandemic and how it affects mental health as well as stating how empathy could help benefit people’s mental health.
Aaliyah
Dear Claire :
I am saddened by your post, “Empathy With Covid 19” because the mental health of a person is very important. Also their stress levels combined with the mental health of a teen can affect the way they do in school.
One sentence you wrote that stands out for me is: “Not only does using empathy toward others help benefit them, but it also may benefit the person using it.” I think this is great because even if we say hello so each other through text can make their day.
Thanks for your writing. I look forward to seeing what you write next, because Covid-19 and people mental health is really important. Also I like how you included a short video.
Victor Vasquez
This is a great amount of girls and we must find a way to stop this. Empathy is a great way to connect to others and I will try to myself as well. I hope that soon this situation will be over and that people are more understanding of each other even after COVID-19 ends. This has given me something of great significance to think about. In these times everyone is looking to make sure they and their families are going to be ok but this element of making sure those around you in your community are ok seems just as important now.
I am really happy to see someone else besides myself talk about how much empathy could help a single person. No one checks up on me and when someone does it feels amazing knowing someone is actually worried about me instead of just living in sadness.
I am actually super happy to see that someone has touched base on a topic like this. Id say many people don’t realize that being empathetic can help people. Many people aren;’t as empathetic as they could be. Love the post and great job thank you for sharing.
I feel the exact same way. I really appreciate you giving ways that I can be empathetic and help others in such trying times.
This has given me something of great significance to think about. In these times everyone is looking to make sure they and their families are going to be ok but this element of making sure those around you in your community are ok seems just as important now. It’s sad to see so many people going to darker places during these times.
I agree with this post. As a teenager, I can confirm that I was definitely feeling lower than previous years. I thought I was alone through all of this, but talking with family and friends helped a lot towards hopefulness and optimism for the near future.
I really never thought about empathy in relation to COVID-19 before. I like your thoughts and ideas about a way to help people in need, especially teenagers during this difficult situation. I can’t believe that 80% of 80% of adolescent girls feel “more lonely and isolated than before” (TCOR Marketing). This is a great amount of girls and we must find a way to stop this. Empathy is a great way to connect to others and I will try to myself as well. I hope that soon this situation will be over and that people are more understanding of each other even after COVID-19 ends.