LETTERS: Recently, due to the temporary closure of education institutions around the world, Emergency Remote Teaching and Learning (ERTL) has emerged to protect the safety and wellbeing of students.
However, most university students are facing difficulties concentrating on their studies and maintaining their mental health. Long-term isolation because of online learning can strongly affect one's mental health.
"The impact of the pandemic on people's mental health is already extremely concerning. Social isolation, fear of contagion and loss of family members is compounded by the distress caused by loss of income and often employment," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organisation.
During the Movement Control Order, numerous reasons caused undergraduates to experience stress, anxiety, fatigue and even boredom.
One survey has been conducted among university students in Malaysia to evaluate their level of anxiety between April and May.
According to the study, 20.4 per cent of students experienced minimal anxiety, 6.6 per cent experienced moderate anxiety and 2.8 per cent experienced extreme anxiety. Students staying on campus experienced the highest anxiety levels compared with those who stayed with family and friends.
Some of these students are often alone and did not have much activity to participate in, so they did not know how to overcome their anxiety. The most significant element in supporting students' mental health is getting support from their loved ones.
If this social isolation is not addressed properly, it could lead to worse cases of stress, mental health issues and would eventually affect students' personal wellbeing.
Students were also worried about whether they could continue their education due to the reduced income of their family. Malaysia's economic situation can cause anxiety for students as they are worried about there being another economic crisis that might compromise their future.
It is vital for higher education institutions to help these students, especially with coping with anxiety during this stressful period. Students should also avoid reading or listening to unsubstantiated Covid-19 stories, especially those from unreliable sources.
To reduce stress, students should create a stress-free environment by connecting with family members and friends virtually as it is crucial to stay in touch with loved ones.
Islam values the importance of good mental health and emotional wellbeing. Spirituality and the psychological aspects of Islam are key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The Quran can help those suffering from anxiety and emotional distress.
Muslim scholar Ibn Taimiyyah once said: "I have not seen anything that nourishes the mind and soul, preserves the body and secures happiness more than continuous reading and contemplation of the book of Allah." University students are the successors of the country, hence, improving their mental health and wellbeing should be the utmost priority right now.
SUFIA ATHIRAH
International Islamic University Malaysia
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times