Covid trauma in youth

 

COVID-19 TRAUMA IN YOUTH OF KASHMIR 

 

There was once a time a young boy of Kashmir would wake up in early hours of the morning, preparing himself for a weary day, a bless full day perhaps. Maybe in school or in college or at his place of work, he would find himself busy and resourceful. Sometimes he would rejoice his youth with his friends, going out with them for adventures. For him the life is being progressive, active and fruitful. Learning, playing, travelling and being socialized is in his nature. But! It all was changed. 

A plague crushed the youth so hard and it was not in anyone’s mind that their lives would change forever. With the spread of the disease and growing risks of being infected and eventually dying, it was necessary not to step outside the houses. Curbs were imposed by the authorities and what was the worst nightmare, came true. Even though Kashmir has been through tough times since years but youth would find ways to keep their lives steady. For students somewhere someplace they would find tutors teaching secretly. There was a fear but they could go to fields for playing games. As internet was shut, they would find means to know what’s happening around them. Though turbulent times from before have already destroyed much of the youth in Kashmir in terms of academics and progress, it also caused mental distress in them. They have been a subject to open air imprisonment. And now to make it worse a never-ending lockdown, as it seems to be, was imposed. This time there was not even a chance to step outside their homes. Institutes shut, fields empty, people distanced apart and a plague knocking at the door. Pity on those youth who were preparing for exams which got delayed and delayed and there was nothing else to do rather than preparing continuously for months. This is just a little of what many of them have been going through. Deep condolences for those who lost their dare ones. Many who loved to pray and were spiritually blessed could not go to the mosque. We all need the help from God and each one is calling Him, asking when will this end. Nobody young or old desires worklessness, youth specially do not deserve to be kept at home. They must get to know the world around and they must gain knowledge and skills. They need to be given a chance and explore their capabilities. Perhaps this is what every youth want. As of now nothing among the latter is available for them what is left is the unimaginative stress and depression. A youth is under a constant struggle about this question, “WHAT DID HAPPEN TO MY LIFE?”  

With the growing depression in youth, society will have to face the challenge to rebuild their lives. Not forgetting to mention how much drug abuse and addictions to various omens would be on rise, there will be a harsh blow to our society, extremely difficult to cure. Probably we might see a generation with high creativity or a generation mentally imbalanced. The issue is this that needs to be notified, that it is true, our body is under the threat to succumb to covid, but our minds are already been taken away by it. 

 

Essay By: Fahad Makhdoomi