The effect of the COVID-19 crisis on the mental health of students in vocational schools

Abstract

„The past year has been overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic. Alongside far-reaching health and economic consequences, the pandemic also has significant psychological consequences for young people, and it is important to investigate these. This study attempts to assess the scope of the changes that have taken place in the past year in regard to suicidal behaviour, mental distress, and risk behaviours in at-risk adolescents studying at schools under the auspices of the Vocational Training Department. A longitudinal study was carried out for this purpose. This entailed the use of self-reporting questionnaires to investigate the frequency of suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, depression, anxiety, and alcohol use in 6,500 students during the COVID-19 crisis in addition to a comparison with the data gathered in the previous year. The data comparison indicates a significant increase in the frequency of mental distress indicators and risk behaviours and in particular a dramatic increase in suicidal behaviour and depression indicators. This article describes the key points of the immediate intervention programme set up by the Vocational Training Department/Youth Department in the current academic year in light of the present data.“ (authors’ abstract; BIBB-Doku)