Being a student during COVID-19

There is absolutely no denying the fact that university and TAFE students across Australia have been doing it tough over the past 7 weeks of social distancing.

COVID-19 has introduced unique complications for students, most of which have gone entirely unrecognised and unsupported by the federal government. The management of universities across Australia has also had a lacklustre response to the crisis. Information about one’s degree, course progression, and availability of courses in the coming months have been scarce and confusing.

A friend of mine is studying nursing at TAFE. Before coronavirus occurred, she was 5 weeks into her first term. She has now had her study at TAFE indefinitely postponed, with minimal contact from TAFE about a new start date or further information for those students who need it.

My friend is now also out of a job.

Young people are facing the double burden of losing their ability to study, and also losing their ability to work. This does not just extend to domestic students, but also international students, who the Liberal Government has routinely forgotten about. Without the assistance of the university hardship funds, which have been announced at several institutions, international students would have little to no extra support during this crisis.

The most concerning aspect of all this is how it is affecting students and young people’s mental health. Of course, the physical distancing policies are of the utmost importance at a time like this. However without study, work, and our ability to see our friends in a face to face environment, students and young people - like almost everybody - are struggling.

The government needs to take a serious look at its lack of mental health funding at a time like this. Now, more than ever, we rely on essential counselling services and intervention programs for those people that desperately need them. It is during a crisis like this that the lack of government funding for crucial services becomes so obvious.

Mental health hasn’t been an obvious discussion point during Scott Morrison’s regular coronavirus briefings. He has instead focused on the economy, infection rate, and changes to physical distancing measures; all of which are incredibly important. However, so is the country’s collective mental health.

This has been and will continue to be, a time of great uncertainty and anxiety for just about everybody, and I think it is important that the government reflects n this and strengthens our mental health services in accordance with the increased need.