High School Researcher Tanisha Explores the Psychological Impact of Covid in Her Blog

With health trends constantly trending and misinformation spreading fast online, one curious student set out to make a difference. What started as a fascination with anatomy and medical dramas soon turned into a research-backed health blog—designed to make wellness information clear, accurate, and accessible to everyone.

Instead of writing a one-time research paper, she chose a living platform—a blog that evolves with new science and real-world questions. With support from Nova Scholar Education and mentors from top universities, she learned how to turn complex medical ideas into engaging content for her peers and the public.

In this story, you’ll see how her passion for medicine met the power of mentorship, and how digital storytelling became her tool for impact.

Why Mental Health Matters: A Wake-Up Call During the Pandemic

Before 2020, I was mostly focused on physical health—things like:

• Nutrition
• Exercise routines
• Lifestyle habits for overall wellness

But the pandemic changed that. With lockdowns, school closures, and constant uncertainty, stress and anxiety became part of daily life.

• Friends who were once outgoing became withdrawn
• Family members quietly admitted to feeling overwhelmed
• I experienced disrupted sleep, erratic eating, and waves of anxiety

These changes made it clear: mental and physical health are deeply connected. I realised that focusing only on the physical side of wellness wasn’t enough. We needed to talk about emotional and mental well-being too.

Why Youth Mental Health Deserves More Attention

One major lesson I took from that time:
Mental health struggles don’t discriminate by age.

• People in my family who had never shown signs of distress started facing real emotional challenges
• I personally experienced panic attacks during long stretches of isolation

These moments made me realise how often youth mental health is overlooked. While adult struggles get the spotlight, teens and children face very different emotional realities.

• We rely on school, routines, and social interaction for structure
• When those were taken away, many of us were left emotionally adrift

As someone who lived through that disruption as a teen, I knew I had a unique perspective. I felt compelled to speak up—not just about mental health in general, but specifically about the needs and voices of young people.

The Underrepresented Voices: Spotlighting Youth Concerns

In the media, adult mental health during Covid-19 received significant attention. From chronic stress in remote work environments to the emotional toll of social isolation on older adults, these challenges were widely discussed.

However, the struggles of younger individuals—especially middle and high school students—were often overlooked.

• Headlines focused on economic collapse, overwhelmed hospitals, and adult anxiety
• The emotional impact of missing out on major milestones like proms, graduations, and classroom routines was rarely prioritised
• Youth voices remained largely absent from mainstream discussions

Through my early research, I found troubling statistics:

• Mental health hotlines saw a sharp rise in calls from adolescents
• Pediatricians reported an increase in teen depression and anxiety cases
• Despite these red flags, the public narrative stayed focused on adult concerns

This disconnect motivated me to dig deeper and create a space where youth experiences wouldn’t be sidelined.

A crucial part of mental health advocacy is making sure affected groups can tell their own stories. In my case, being both the researcher and someone living through this experience gave me a dual lens:

• I could reflect on my own mental health journey
• I could interview peers who were facing similar emotional challenges

This “insider perspective” made the project not just research-driven but personal—something I hope resonates more deeply with other teens going through the same.

Formulating My Research Strategy with Nova Scholar Education

When I partnered with Nova Scholar Education, I was paired with a mentor whose expertise aligned with my project’s vision. This mentor had experience in mental health research and in working with youth-focused organizations. From the outset, the Nova Scholar framework stood out for its emphasis on goal-setting, research methodologies, and open dialogue, all tailored to the student’s unique interests.

Collaborative Planning and Clear Objectives

During our initial discussions, we mapped out a series of objectives that would guide my research journey. These included:

1. Developing a Robust Literature Review: My mentor walked me through effective ways to locate credible sources, teaching me how to evaluate peer-reviewed articles and mental health studies for reliability.
2. Identifying Gaps in Youth Mental Health Coverage: Together, we combed through existing blogs, academic papers, and news articles to see where teenage mental health voices were missing or underrepresented.
3. Setting Tangible Milestones: By establishing weekly or biweekly goals—such as finalizing an interview schedule or drafting a new section of the blog—I stayed focused and motivated, even when confronted with occasional obstacles like writer’s block or too many competing ideas.

Delving into Covid-19’s Impact on Children’s Mental Health

My chosen medium for sharing findings was a dedicated blog that explored the pandemic’s mental health ramifications on children and teenagers. Blogging, as opposed to lengthy academic manuscripts, felt more approachable for my target audience: parents, teachers, and young individuals themselves. By opting for a friendly, less formal tone, I could integrate narratives and advice that resonated on a personal level—something that pure data graphs and scholarly papers might struggle to convey.

Why a Blog?

A blog allowed me to strike a balance between depth and readability. On the one hand, I could incorporate insights from complex studies and interviews with mental health professionals; on the other hand, I could weave these findings into relatable stories or everyday examples that made sense to readers. This storytelling element was particularly crucial, as mental health discussions often require empathy and emotional connection to truly resonate.

Enhancing Credibility Through Interviews

Recognizing the limitations of relying solely on published literature, I sought out interviews with diverse individuals impacted by the pandemic. These included:

• Child Psychologist: An expert shared her perspective on the surge in anxiety and behavioral issues, attributing much of it to disrupted routines and social isolation.
• Peers and Classmates: Fellow teenagers opened up about their personal journeys, revealing both vulnerable moments and surprising resilience. Their stories underscored that despite the hardships of the pandemic, many teens found ways to adapt—through online clubs, virtual study groups, or creative outlets like art and music.

Collectively, these voices enriched my content, transforming theoretical discussions into a tapestry of real experiences and insights.

Structuring and Managing the Blog Project

To maintain momentum and coherence, my mentor and I devised a systematic approach that involved regular check-ins and detailed outlines. Each phase—research, drafting, revising—came with its own set of tasks that built upon one another, ensuring that I never felt overwhelmed by the scope of the project.

• Weekly Meetings and Progress Tracking – I regularly updated my mentor on new findings, challenges, and potential pivots. After interviewing a child psychologist, I added a section on early warning signs of anxiety in children, refining the blog’s focus based on fresh insights.
• Developing Engaging Content – Beyond gathering facts, I learned to create content that resonates. My mentor encouraged storytelling, blending anecdotal evidence—such as a friend’s experience with anxiety—into mental health discussions. This approach made the blog more relatable, balancing intellectual depth with emotional impact.

While the project had a clear advocacy goal, it also became a training ground for a variety of transferable skills. I honed my writing abilities, shifting from academic essay structures to a more accessible blog format that still retained accuracy and credibility. This pivot taught me how to break down complex mental health research into clearer segments that any reader—teen or adult—could follow.

Blogging Techniques Learned

1. Clarity and Simplicity: I practiced writing straightforward sentences, avoiding jargon, and defining key terms to make the content inclusive for a non-expert audience.
2. Engagement Strategies: I adopted informal but respectful language, added real-life anecdotes, and occasionally posed thought-provoking questions to keep readers invested.
3. Structured Narratives: By breaking my posts into subheadings, bullet points, or short paragraphs, I made the blog more scannable, accommodating readers with varying attention spans.

This approach to content creation has since influenced how I approach other projects, from school essays to presentations. I now find it easier to identify my audience’s needs and cater to them with precision and empathy.

Challenges Encountered and Lessons Learned

No research or writing process goes entirely smoothly, and mine was no exception. Initially, I grappled with identifying a clear angle for my blog. The pandemic’s mental health implications are vast, and it was easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information. Through methodical brainstorming sessions and mentor-guided feedback, I learned to isolate the most pressing concerns—like anxiety, depression, and disrupted social development in teens—and structure my blog around those focal points. Another stumbling block was writer’s block. On some days, I struggled to convey complex data or personal stories in a coherent manner. My mentor offered a simple yet effective solution: schedule blocks of free-writing time with no pressure for immediate perfection. This creative exercise not only loosened my writing style but also led to new ideas and improved flow, illustrating the power of stepping away from self-criticism and simply letting thoughts pour onto the page.

Positive Reception and Impact

When I finally shared the blog with a small community of friends, teachers, and family members, the feedback was overwhelmingly supportive. Individuals reached out to express gratitude for shining a spotlight on adolescent mental health, something they felt had been overlooked in the broader Covid conversation. Parents, in particular, appreciated the practical tips and relatable stories, which offered them a better understanding of their children’s emotional states during uncertain times.

The warm reception reinforced the notion that mental health advocacy can genuinely shift perspectives and encourage more open, empathetic dialogues. Reading about other teens’ experiences helped young readers feel less isolated in their struggles, while adults were reminded that mental challenges among youth are both valid and pressing.

Advocacy Beyond the Blog: Ongoing Efforts and Future Directions

Driven by the encouragement and validation I received, I resolved to continue my mental health advocacy beyond the initial project. My next steps include:

1. Expanded Research: Diving deeper into specific subtopics, such as mental health stigma in different cultures or how school systems can integrate emotional well-being into curricula.
2. Collaborations: Reaching out to local mental health organizations to explore potential partnerships, workshops, or resource-sharing opportunities aimed at teenagers.
3. Multimedia Outreach: Considering a mental health podcast or YouTube series where I could host discussions with specialists, parents, and teens, expanding the conversation beyond written content.

By broadening my advocacy methods, I hope to make mental health awareness even more accessible to diverse audiences, meeting people in the formats they find most engaging.

Practical Tips for Aspiring Youth Advocates

For fellow teens or young adults passionate about starting a similar mental health advocacy initiative, my experiences offer a handful of valuable takeaways:

• Focus on a Clear Niche: Rather than tackling every aspect of mental health, pinpoint a distinct angle—such as social media’s effects on teen anxiety or cultural barriers to therapy—and build expertise in that area.
• Leverage Mentorship: Seek out platforms or individuals—like mentors from Nova Scholar Education—who can provide structure, introduce research techniques, and offer supportive feedback.
• Cultivate Empathy: Mental health discussions thrive on empathy. Listening, validating personal experiences, and being open to different viewpoints foster trust and credibility.
• Use Accessible Language: Complex scientific terms can alienate lay readers. Strive for clarity, breaking down academic concepts into approachable language.
• Stay Adaptable: Be prepared to pivot as you gain new insights or witness shifts in community needs. Advocacy is a dynamic process that often benefits from flexibility.

Reflections on My Mental Health Advocacy Journey

One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned is that advocacy, especially in the mental health sphere, doesn’t require waiting for adulthood or formal credentials. Youth voices are powerful precisely because they capture real-time struggles and triumphs, lending authenticity to broader conversations about well-being. Through my blog project, I discovered not only how to research and write effectively, but also how to connect with people on a deeply human level—by acknowledging shared fears and hopes.

Moreover, interacting with professionals and peers alike has given me a glimpse into the complexity of mental health issues, reinforcing that addressing them demands collective efforts. Whether it’s through school counseling programs, online forums, or face-to-face discussions at community centers, the solutions will likely emerge from continued dialogue, empathy, and evidence-based interventions.

Conclusion: Continuing the Conversation

What began as a personal response to the pandemic has grown into a lasting commitment to youth mental health advocacy. With guidance from a mentor at Nova Scholar Education, I turned a small blog idea into a platform that speaks to the real, lived experiences of teens like me.

Even as the world moves forward, the emotional effects of COVID-19 still linger. That’s why I plan to keep writing, collaborating with mental health organizations, and sparking honest conversations in my community. My goal is simple: to help normalize these discussions and make support feel accessible—especially for young people.

This journey taught me that meaningful change starts with listening, learning, and sharing openly. And I’m just getting started.