Coping with life: dealing with mental health as a university student
When you struggle with mental health, you may feel like you are going through hell but as Winston Churchill once said: "If you are going through hell, just keep going."
You may be stuck in a deep pit and feel like there's no way out. Stress consumes you and although to lock yourself away you must keep going and push through because you have deadlines to meet, problems to solve and responsibilities to take care of. All of that messes with our well-being and leaves our mental health in a poor state.
Mental health is an essential part of us as humans. We need our mind to be healthy in order for us to be well overall (Mental Health and Substance Use [WHO], 2022). Mental health used to be taboo for some and had a stigma surrounding it because it was not considered "normal" but thankfully that view has evolved throughout the years and we must take advantage of that.
You have probably heard that "the years that you spend at university will be the best years of your life" or that "you will have the time of your life when you go to college" but when you actually start your new academic journey to get a degree, those words feel like a huge lie.
As university students, we come across multiple difficulties, burnout and some major stress throughout our academic journey which may lead to bigger issues and affect our well-being. It can have a negative effect on many areas of our lives some of them being academic achievement, relationships and physical health (Suicide Prevention Resource Center, n.d.). We need to learn to cope with it and hopefully overcome it if possible.
Mental health allows us to be healthy on the outside, form and maintain relationships and thrive (Mental Health and Substance Use [WHO], 2022), so it is essential to take care of it. When looking for solutions, methods to get better or coping mechanisms, you will most likely come across tons of websites that have to do with mental health, how it affects us and its symptoms but there is not even nearly the same amount of resources that talk about how to live with it or what solutions there are. Of course, there are always some sources where you can find some answers but they usually always contain the same 3 methods that either don't work for you or you just don't want to try. You end up at the same spot as before. So, how to find something that helps?I have been there so I get what it is like. I've been struggling with my own mental health for almost 10 years so I have had a fair amount of time to experience and try-out some of these so-called solutions. I have compiled some of these that have helped me that may help you too to "live with it" as some say.
The first one is to set reasonable goals for yourself. If you live with expectations that are out of your limits, that will only make you feel worse about yourself. Make sure your goals are achievable and you work on them step by step.
Secondly, I recommend finding distractions. Try taking your mind off that dark spiral you find yourself in and take breaks. A few activities to keep yourself distracted that you can try are doing exercise, journaling, baking or painting among others. Find what you like and allow yourself time to do it.
Another thing that I think is important is allowing yourself to feel and recognize your feelings as valid. The more you bottle up, the bigger the explosion will be later. You are human, you are allowed to feel the way you feel. You can complement this with positive self-talk and positive thinking. I know that it is something lots of people tell you to do as if it was easy, which is not, but I promise that even one good little thought or comment you tell yourself makes a difference.
The last tip I have is to surround yourself with supportive people. You don't need more negativity than you already have in your life and the relationships that you have, the people you interact with and who you talk to really affect you. It is important to spend time with family and friends and to talk with them. The people you choose to be around add an additional layer of support and you can rely on them when life gets hard.
Although you can work on your own and find ways to take care and improve your mental health, always remember that it is of huge importance to seek professional help when needed. It can be intimidating or scary but mental health professionals can provide the help you need to assist you in ways that you may not be able to do on your own. Always remember that even if it seems impossible or feels tiring and arduous, you can do it. You are stronger than you think, and asking for help is okay.
Bibliography:
Consequences of Student Mental Health Issues – Suicide Prevention Resource Center. (n.d.). https://sprc.org/settings/colleges-and-universities/consequences-of-student-mental-health-issues/#:~:text=Mental%20health%20problems%20can%20affect,with%20friends%20and%20family%20members.
Mental Health and Substance Use. (2022a, June 16). World mental health report: Transforming mental health for all. Geneva: World Health Organization [WHO]. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240049338
By: Catalina Cabello