We’re living through unprecedented times – the current, very unusual alteration to the way we live life right now calls for solidarity, togetherness, and communication. So on Dazed, we’ve created the #AloneTogether community. Across the days, weeks, or months of the coronavirus pandemic and concurrent isolation measures, we’re connecting with our audience to offer URL experiences, art, and advice made with you and talent from across music, fashion, art, tech, and politics. We may be alone, but we are together.
Only a matter of months ago, the idea of not being able to attend your own graduation, or celebrate the end of exams, would have been unthinkable. But as the coronavirus pandemic continues to shut schools and universities across the world, students are facing an uncertain future.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, we speak to young people from across the world on how they’re coping through varying stages of lockdown. “I think this is the perfect opportunity to stress the fact that mental health is just as important as physical health and I think in a society where physical image is glorified so much, it’s easy to forget that,” says Hannah Hyncil. Tito Molokwu agrees: “I see it as a time to remember that everyone has their own internal battle that you may know nothing about.”
In the video, we hear about what’s been helping them through isolation. “I’m trying to be kind to myself by learning to control the things that are in your grasp,” says Godwin. “I also write poetry and I’ve been posting poems that I think hopefully someone (who) needs to hear (will think) are comforting,” adds Molokwu.
We also ask them how to stay kind to others. “Being more understanding and open-minded. That is what destroys stigma, within ourselves (and) within other people, because we need to be more understanding to ourselves as well,” says Maddy Shaw.
Molokwu adds: “By putting life into perspective right now. I think if you actually just stop and think about how fortunate we are, how blessed we are to just be alive, I feel as though you become grateful. And in gratitude, I think there’s kindness.”
Watch the video above.
