The Unspoken Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

As February drew to a close, I found myself reflecting on a conversation with my colleagues.

We were discussing this time of year and remembering what life was like back in early 2020—when the world was forever changed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The world may have moved on from the height of the pandemic, but for many, its impact lingers in ways that are not always visible.

With my colleagues—fellow counsellors—we spoke about when, or what, marked the end of the pandemic for each of us. For some, it was when social restrictions were lifted. For others, it was when masks were no longer compulsory. Some felt it when they returned to the office. For me, I distinctly remember one day while shopping in my local supermarket. I was at the checkout when something felt different, yet I couldn’t quite place what it was. Only on my way out of the store did I realize what was "missing"—the plastic screens between shoppers at the self-checkouts had been removed.

At that moment, it struck me: there was no universally marked "end" to the pandemic. In counselling, we emphasize the importance of beginnings and endings, and the unconscious impact when these are not properly facilitated. The world and its people never experienced a collective closure to this global event. Instead, each person's experience of the pandemic's end was unique. Mine was realizing the plastic screens at Tesco were gone; others will have their own moment when they knew it was truly "over."

But for some, it never really ended at all.

The Lingering Shadow of Grief

Grief is one of the most profound yet unspoken effects of the pandemic. Many people lost loved ones but were unable to say goodbye in traditional ways. Funerals were postponed or held virtually, robbing families of essential rituals that bring closure. Even those who did not experience personal loss still grieve—grieve for lost time, lost opportunities, and a world that no longer feels the same.

In my sessions, clients often express an unsettling sense of loss they struggle to put into words. It’s not just about death—it’s about the relationships that faded, the celebrations that never happened, and the milestones that passed in isolation. This ambiguous grief is difficult to process because it lacks a clear resolution, yet it weighs heavily on the soul. My experience with clients is that the experience of grief and loss was compounded by the pandemic.

One deeply personal example that stands out to me is the story of my elderly nan. She lost her husband at the very beginning of the pandemic and, like so many others, was forced to grieve in isolation. But it wasn’t just the loss of her partner that impacted her—it was the way the world around her changed overnight which compounded her loss and grieving process. She, like many elderly individuals, received letters advising her not to leave the house for her own safety. While these letters were meant to protect, they also instilled a deep sense of fear. Years later, that fear remains. She now struggles with social anxiety and is unable to leave the house, trapped not just by the memory of what happened but by the lasting psychological impact of being told the outside world was dangerous.

Anxiety and the Fear of the Unknown

The pandemic introduced an unpredictable sense of fear—fear of illness, fear of the unknown, and fear of losing control. While restrictions may have lifted, many still carry that underlying anxiety. I see it in clients who hesitate to return to social gatherings, those who constantly worry about the next health crisis, and even children who now associate the outside world with danger.

Social anxiety has surged, with many finding it difficult to reconnect with others. The isolation of lockdowns created habits of solitude that now feel hard to break. People who once thrived in social settings now find crowds overwhelming. As a counsellor, I work with individuals to slowly rebuild their confidence in social interactions, but the fear is real and persistent.

Burnout and Emotional Exhaustion

For front line workers, caregivers, parents, and educators, the pandemic was a time of relentless responsibility. Many barely had a moment to process their own emotions while trying to care for others. Now, years later, exhaustion is catching up.

I see professionals who are still struggling with burnout, parents who are emotionally drained from navigating online schooling and constant uncertainty, and healthcare workers who never had a chance to recover from the trauma they witnessed. The pandemic demanded an emotional resilience that was unsustainable, and now, the aftermath is manifesting in exhaustion, irritability, and even depression.

The Unseen Impact on Children and Adolescents

Children and teenagers were among those most affected, yet their struggles often go unnoticed. The formative years of social and emotional development were disrupted, leading to challenges that are only now surfacing.

Younger children who missed out on early social interactions may struggle with communication skills, while teenagers who spent crucial years in isolation often express difficulty forming and maintaining relationships. Educational gaps, increased screen dependency, and heightened social anxiety are common themes I encounter in sessions with young clients. They may not always articulate it, but the uncertainty and instability of those years have left an imprint.

A deeply personal example of this is my daughter. She missed the end of Year 6 and the beginning of Year 7—a crucial transition period where friendships are formed, independence is gained, and children adjust to a whole new environment. That lost time had a lasting impact. She struggled to make friends, finding social interactions overwhelming. Anxiety and OCD became part of her daily life, and even now, as she approaches the end of Year 11, she has never truly "settled" into high school. Unlike previous generations who grew into their teenage years through shared experiences, she and so many others missed out on friendships, milestones, exams, and memories that they will never get back. The high school experience that should have shaped her has instead felt disjointed, uncertain, and isolating. Again, I believe my daughter’s experience of settling into high school, similarly to my Nan’s of grief speaks to how common experiences and feelings were compounded by the experience of the pandemic.

This is a reality for many young people whose formative years were interrupted. The long-term effects of this disruption are still unfolding, and as a counsellor, I see the lasting emotional toll it has taken. These young people are now entering adulthood carrying the weight of missed experiences and the struggle to feel a sense of belonging in a world that feels unfamiliar.

Healing in the Aftermath

While the impact of the pandemic may be at times unspoken, it is not irreversible. Healing begins with acknowledging these struggles and creating space for conversations that allow people to process their emotions. Seeking support—whether through therapy, peer groups, or simply honest discussions with loved ones about the experience —can make a significant difference.

I encourage people to be patient with themselves. The world experienced a collective trauma, and it is natural for healing to take time. If you feel like you are still carrying the weight of the past few years, know that you are not alone. Your feelings are valid, and with time, understanding, and support, it is possible to move forward—not by forgetting, but by finding meaning and strength in what we have endured.

Let’s continue the conversation. What has your experience been in the aftermath of the pandemic? If you are struggling, know that there is help, and healing is possible.