A year marked by the global covid-19 pandemic has taken a significant toll on Luxembourg youngsters’ mental health, according to data from the Kanner-Jugendtelefon (KJT), the grand duchy’s children and young person’s helpline.
Social isolation, loss of routine, adapting to digital ways of learning and constantly changing restrictions have left many of Luxembourg’s adolescents feeling anxious, depressed and overwhelmed with their feelings, explains KJT psychologist Aline Hartz: “Young people describe increased feelings of loneliness and isolation, they miss their friends, they feel 'restrained', aimless, under pressure, sad. They are uncertain about the future, feel pressure to perform, experience low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts.”