Students from College of the Canyons (COC) discuss what the last year has been like under quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the pandemic confined students from all grade levels to their homes, many college students endured a challenging and unusual college experience.

“I thought it was really surreal that we actually had to shut everything down. I didn’t think that it would last this long.” said A Bizares, a Sound Arts major at COC.

The shut-downs took many students by surprise and greatly affected both their social and academic lives. Those with more hands-on majors experienced the challenge of working in a remote online format.

See Related: Mental Health Emphasized By Santa Clarita High School Students, Staff After Years Of Difficulty

“I am not thriving in an online environment. It kind of defeats the purpose because you’re not able to go out and shoot with your peers,” said Isabelle Walker, a Film Production major at COC.

Evan Decker, a History major also agreed on the impacts of online learning with his academic studies.

“I’ve always been a people person, not being able to be either at school or at the Hart Museum showing people our history. I think that was the hardest thing,” Decker said.

These difficulties combined with the common feelings of isolation described by those during quarantine contributed greatly to the mental health of college students.

“A lot of students are feeling lonely and disconnected,” said Larry Schallert, Assistant Director of the Student Health & Wellness/Mental Health Program at College of the Canyons.

Online learning hindered student socialization, making it hard to meet new peers and collaborate on projects as well.

“It definitely affected my motivation because it was like people are dying and we’re here like taking quizzes,” said Maggie Anderson, a Psychology major.

Schallert mentioned that students can receive mental health sessions at COC’s Student Health and Wellness Center if they have paid all their student health fees.

“Be aware that the people that look the strongest sometimes are really struggling so check on the strong,” advised Schallert.

Additional mental health resources include phone and text lines and local resource locations at Henry Mayo and the Santa Clarita Mental Health Center.

There are 24-hour phone numbers available for Mental Health Resources in case of an emergency. In the event of an emergency, 911 should always be the first call. Those looking to speak with someone can call:

• 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

• 1-800-854-7771 for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health

• 1-800-784-2433 for the Treatment Advocacy Center

• 661-259-9439 for the SCV Child & Family Center

• 661-288-4800 for the Santa Clarita Valley Mental Health Center

• 661- 765-8445 for Insight Treatment Santa Clarita

• 800-852-8336 for the Teen Line Peer Suicide Prevention 6-10 p.m.  or text TEEN to 839863

• 1-866-488-7386 for the Trevor Project LGBTQ suicide helpline

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