No abstract

The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic had a wide range of impacts on living conditions, opportunities and mental health. As discussed by society and supported by some studies, young people were particularly affected. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of research that explicitly addressed the mental health outcomes of adolescents’ and young adults’ transition. A systematic literature search in PubMed, PsycInfo, PSYNDEX, Embase and LIVIVO was conducted in February 2022. 42 of 2562 screened publications from industrialized/high-income countries were included and analyzed. All included publications show that the mental health of young people worsened during the pandemic. Several studies suggest(ed) that youths with less education and low socioeconomic status were affected most. Regarding different stages of adolescence, study results are heterogeneous. Evidence indicates that schools as institutions are important settings for everyday lives, personal development and education of young people. The review shows that there is a need for research and scientifically validated recommendations for practice. Further consideration should focus on the implementation of sustainable structures on the local level to strengthen resilience, minimize risk factors for young people’s mental health and create opportunities for valuable transitions.

Objective The transition from school to work is a challenge for young people which is closely correlated with health and well- being. Promoting resilience factors contributes to adolescents’ mental health and social and educational success. The aim of this study is to examine how especially vulnerable youth cope with the transition during the pandemic to identify which structural measures are helpful and which are a hindrance and to develop recommendations for action. Methods First, a rapid review on the subject of young people's mental health during the pandemic was conducted. Based on this 30 interviews with professionals from schools and vocational education and two focus groups with young people from participating institutions follow in spring and summer 2022. Finally, recommendations for action will be developed together with both groups. Results The results of the literature research illustrate the strong influence of the pandemic on the mental health of adolescents and, in particular, the increase in health inequalities along the social gradient. In relation to school and education, it is clear that young people lacked contact persons during this time. It is expected that the interviews and focus groups give insight, which resources of the young people can be strengthened in a low- threshold way and will provide further concrete indications on what structural development is needed to strengthen the resilience of young people. Conclusions For the promotion of mental health it is necessary to rely not only on the resources of young people themselves, but especially on the resources available in their environment. Only in this way transition processes can be managed successfully by the young people and they can be strengthened for the future. To this end, solutions should be developed jointly and support systems should be improved