On 11 March 2020, after weeks of speculation and rising cases across the world, the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic. And we all know what happened next: life as we knew it changed. For some of us, it may be hard to believe that it’s been nearly four years since the days of masks, tiers and social distancing. For others – particularly young women – the lasting mental health impacts of nearly two years of lockdowns are still very much present.

According to new research from the National Trust, while 53% of 16-25-year-olds agree that their generation was affected the most by lockdown, over half of women in that age range cited the strain on mental health among the negative impacts of lockdown, compared to just over a third of men. 

While young men reported generally leaning towards thinking that lockdown was a positive experience (41% positive, 36% negative), women surveyed leaned in the opposite direction, with 39% classifying it as negative.

The research also shows that while men often cited boredom as a primary issue with lockdowns, over half of the women surveyed were more troubled by the inability to see friends (51%). Both however, say they have come out of lockdown feeling more, rather than less, resilient. 

The research highlighted some other small silver linings, too. 61% of people engaged in new hobbies or interests during the lockdown, with a majority (66%) continuing these activities post-lockdown. What’s more, nearly half (47%) report being more sure about what they want their future to look like and 58% admit they’re now more money-conscious than they were before. 

But that doesn’t change the fact that lockdown was a period of our lives that caused some irreparable damage. We can look back at it now and remember baking banana bread and going on walking dates, but it’s not easy to forget how our health was threatened and our support systems collapsed. Friendships ended, jobs were put at risk and our mental health suffered immensely because of it. And sadly, once again, it was women bearing the brunt. 

The research was conducted to support the National Trust’s Time + Space Award for 16 to 25 year-olds, inspired by Sir Isaac Newton’s incredible discoveries during his own lockdown period. Four winners will be given time, space, and resources to the equivalent value of £5K, to explore big ideas they may have also had in lockdown, across four categories: science, art and culture, society and nature and climate.

Images: Getty