The Impact of COVID-19 on Students with Social Anxiety

This chapter examines the case of Sandra, whose disengagement from school was precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent onset of social anxiety following prolonged school closures. The disruption of in-person learning significantly affected her and other students’ academic performance and mental health, altering their sense of safety and belonging within the school environment. This chapter examines the consequences of school closures and their impact on students’ emotional well-being and their ability to reconnect with peers and educators upon returning to school. Social anxiety—identified as the third-most common mental health disorder in the United States—is defined and discussed in the context of adolescents who experience heightened comfort and security at home rather than in social or academic settings. Finally, the chapter explores the use of social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies as a means to help students rebuild emotional safety, develop self-regulation skills, and reintegrate into their school communities with greater confidence and connection.