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Covid-19 and Our Mental Health
Malachi Law
Liberty University
ENGL 101: Composition and Rhetoric
March 24, 2024
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I. Introduction
A. Hook your audience (Relate it to the topic and your thesis argument.)
1. Like a stealthy intruder, Covid-19 penetrated not only bodies but also minds,
leaving a trail of psychological distress in its wake.
2. “During pandemics, the number of people whose mental health is affected tends to
be greater than the number of people affected by the infection” (Ornell et. Al, 2020 p.
232).
3. America witnessed a seismic shift in the landscape of mental health, revealing
vulnerabilities and disparities previously obscured by the hustle and bustle of
everyday life.
4. As we delve into the impact of Covid-19 on mental health in America, we uncover
a narrative of resilience strained by isolation, economic upheaval, and shattered
routines, echoing the urgency for comprehensive support and intervention.
B. Identify the problem. (Give background/ context as appropriate for the topic and your
audience.)
1. As the virus spread rapidly across the United States, it brought with a
secondary crisis – a profound strain on the mental health of the nation’s populace.
2. Understanding the scope and severity of the mental health crisis induced by the
pandemic
C. Sate your thesis. (Makes a clear argument showing a cause-and-effect relationship.)
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1. The outbreak of Covid-19 in America precipitated a multifaced crisis in mental
health, manifesting in heightened anxiety, depression, and other psychological
disorders, primarily due to prolonged social isolation, economic instability, and
the disruption of daily routines.
II. Body Paragraphs (Many prefer for opposing viewpoints to be final body paragraph before the
conclusion; however, it can be included in any order in the body of the essay.)
A. Topic Sentence: Directly supports the thesis argument and clearly identifies the topic
of each individual body paragraph. (Your claim in the Toulmin essay)
1. Prolonged social isolation emerged as a significant catalyst for the deterioration of
mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic, exacerbating feelings of loneliness
and amplifying pre-existing psychological distress among individuals.
B. Evidence: Example(s), fact(s), etc. from correctly cited quotes, paraphrases, and/or
summaries that support your main point of the topic sentence. (Relating it to the
thesis and providing additional information as needed.)
1. According to research done by Transactions on Computational Social Systems
(2022), during the pandemic the rates of major depressive episodes increased by
27.6% (p. 970).
C. Analysis: Your explanation of how the evidence supports the topic sentence/ thesis
statement: include examples of cause or effects. (Avoid using first and second person
pronouns in your academic writing.)
1. The evidence highlights the significant impact of prolonged social isolation on
mental health, as evidenced by the substantial rise in rates of major depressive
episodes during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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2. The enforced isolations measures, such as lockdowns and social distancing
protocols, severed crucial social connections and deprived individuals of the
social support networks vital for maintaining mental well-being.
D. Qualifier- The qualifier demonstrates limits to the argument or shows that it is now
always true in all situations:
1. While the research cited provides compelling evidence of the correlation
between prolonged social isolation and increased rates of major depressive
episodes during the pandemic, it is essential to acknowledge that individual
experiences may vary.
2. Cultural differences and coping mechanisms may influence individuals’
responses to isolation measures, suggesting that the relationship between
social isolation and mental health outcomes is nuanced and context dependent.
E. Rebuttal – Address counterclaims and how they may be addressed within the scope of
your argument:
1. Counterclaims may argue that virtual communication tools and online social
interactions have mitigated the negative impact of social isolation during the
pandemic.
2. However, according to the International Journal of Environmental Research
and Public Health (Guo et. Al, 2020), “Increased mental health problems were
also associated with more intense exposure through the media” (p. 15).
3. Moreover, disparities in access to technology and digital literacy may
exacerbate feelings of exclusion among marginalized communities.
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F. Summative Sentence: Restates the topic sentence in a new way and transitions your
ideas from one paragraph to the next. (Use appropriate transitional words and
sentences throughout your essay to help your essay flow well for your reader.)
1. The surge in major depressive episodes during the pandemic underscores the
profound toll of prolonged social isolation on mental health, emphasizing the
imperative for comprehensive interventions to address the multifaced
challenges facing individuals in navigating the psychological repercussions of
Covid-19.
IV. Body Paragraphs. (Many prefer for opposing viewpoints to be final body paragraph before
the conclusion; however, it can be included in any order in the body of the essay.)
A. Topic Sentence: Directly supports the thesis argument and clearly identifies the topic of each
individual body paragraph.
1. Economic instability resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic has emerged as a significant
contributor to heightened anxiety and stress levels among individuals, exacerbating
mental health challenges across America.
B. Evidence: Example(s), fact(s), etc. from correctly cited quotes, paraphrases, and/or
summaries that support your main point of the topic sentence. (Relating it to the thesis and
providing additional information as needed.)
1. Millions of Americans were laid off, having no sources of income to provide for their
families
2. “Covid-19 has disrupted supply chains worldwide” (Beckman & Countryman, 2021 p.
1596.)
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C. Analysis: Your explanation of how the evidence supports the topic sentence/thesis
statement: include examples of causes or effects.
1. The evidence illustrates the profound economic upheaval caused by the Covid-
19 pandemic, which directly impacts mental health in America.
2. economic instability precipitated by the pandemic serves as a significant cause
of heightened mental health issues in America, underscoring the need for
comprehensive interventions to address the intersection of economic and
psychological well-being.
D. Qualifier – demonstrates the limits to the argument or shows that it is not always true
in all situations:
1. While the evidence presented highlights the significant impact of economic
instability on mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is important to
acknowledge that individual experiences may based on factors such as access to
resources, social support networks, and coping mechanisms.
E. Rebuttal – Address counterclaims and how they may be addressed withing the scope of
your arguments.
1. Counterclaims may argue that government stimulus packages and
unemployment benefits have helped migrate the economic impact of the
pandemic.
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2. While government stimulus packages and unemployment benefits may have
helped ease the financial strain, the fact people had to ask for help to begin with is
more than enough to mentally strain an individual.
F. Summative Sentence: Restates the topic sentence in a new way and transitions your
ideas from one paragraph to the next.
1. Thus, while government interventions may have alleviated some of the
economic burdens caused by the pandemic, the psychological toll of having to
rely on external support underscores the enduring impact of economic instability
on mental health in America.
V. One or more Body Paragraphs to Discuss Opposing viewpoints.
A. Topic Sentence: Introduces opposing viewpoint(s)
1. Some argue that social media is a vital communication tool that has helped
alleviate feelings of social isolation and provided support during the pandemic.
2. Others say that the government should have kept pumping money into stimulus
programs and keep unemployment benefits high to alleviate the economic
slowdown to help with mental health problems in the United States.
B. Refutation – Explanation of why you disagree. (Avoid first and second person
pronouns.)
1. While proponents of social media argue that it serves as a valuable means of
connection during times of physical distancing, it is important to critically examine its
impact on mental health within the pandemic.
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2. While increasing stimulus programs and unemployment benefits may provide
temporary relief to individuals facing economic hardship, solely relying on such
measures may overlook the broader systemic issues contributing to mental health
challenges during the pandemic.
C. Facts, examples, etc. of why you disagree and why your position is better than the opposition.
1. “All facets of the economy have been impacted, with double-digit decreases in the
number of flights, tourism severely affected, and oil prices decreasing to levels not seen
in two decades” (Beckman & Countryman, 2022 p. 1595).
2. “More distal exposure to the pandemic through the media might also promote mental
health problems as individuals may feel intense empathic concern and distress witnessing
or constantly hearing about other people’s painful struggles with coronavirus” (Guo et.
Al., 2020 p. 2)
D. Summative Sentence
1. While social media and economic support measures may offer some benefits, their
potential negative effects and limited scope in addressing the multifaceted nature of
mental health challenges during the pandemic necessitate a more comprehensive
approach that considers individual differences and systemic factors beyond economic
status or online interactions.
VI. Conclusion Paragraph
A. Summarizes Main Points of your Body Paragraphs.
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1. It is evident that the Covid-19 pandemic has brought to light the intricate relationship
between economic instability, social isolation, and mental health challenges in
America.
2. A comprehensive approach is needed, one that considers the complex interplay of
economic, social, and psychological factors in shaping mental health outcomes during
the pandemic.
B. Reinstate your thesis in a new way.
1. The Covid-19 pandemic has unveiled a complex web of challenges impacting mental
health in America, from the economic upheaval to the social isolation induced by
necessary public health measures.
C. Leaves the reader with final thought and/or call to action.
1. As we reflect on the profound impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on mental health in
America, it is crucial to recognize that the journey toward recovery extends beyond
the resolution of immediate crisis.
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References
Beckman, J., & Countryman, A. M. (2021). The importance of agriculture in the
economy: Impacts from COVID‐19.6American Journal of Agricultural
Economics,6103(5), 1595-1611.Hhttps://doi.org/10.1111/ajae.12212
B. W. Schuller, J. Löchner, K. Qian and B. Hu, "COVID-19’s Impact on Mental Health—
The Hour of Computational Aid?," inHIEEE Transactions on Computational
Social Systems, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 967-973, Aug. 2022, doi:
10.1109/TCSS.2022.3191821.
Guo, J., Feng, X. L., Wang, X. H., & van IJzendoorn, M. H. (2020). Coping with
COVID-19: Exposure to COVID-19 and negative impact on livelihood predict
elevated mental health problems in chinese adults.6International Journal of
Environmental Research and Public Health,617(11),
3857.Hhttps://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17113857
Ornell, F., Schuch, J. B., Sordi, A. O., & Kessler, F. H. P. (2020). "Pandemic fear" and
COVID-19: Mental health burden and strategies.6Revista Brasileira De
Psiquiatria,642(3), 232-235.Hhttps://doi.org/10.1590/1516-4446-2020-0008
