The topic of mental health is extremely important to talk about for college students. With many classes being remote and students dealing with all of the stress that comes with online classes, it is more important than ever to discuss and make sure that students know where they can get help with any mental health concerns. And it should be the job of colleges to make sure that that information is available to their students.
From Oct. 21-22, Winthrop University held a two-part Virtual Mental Health Check over Zoom. The check-in went over topics such as suicide prevention, tips to stay mentally healthy and how to help someone who may be dealing with depression, anxiety or any other mental health concerns.
“For many mental health disorders, the average on-set is during the traditional college-age of 18 to 24 years old, and one in four college students have a diagnosable mental illness. Yet, most college students lack awareness about the mental health resources available to them on campus and in our community. And about half become so anxious that they struggle in school,” said Shayna Foxworth, the Student & Young Alumni Program Coordinator in the Office of Alumni Relations.
Since so many college-age students are unaware of how they can get help, the check-in sought to inform them about what resources are available to them on campus if they themselves, or some-one that they know, are struggling with a mental disorder.
“We want to reduce stigma and misconceptions around mental health and suicide that often deter individuals from seeking help,” Foxworth said. “In cultures, sometimes mental health issues can be stigmatized, so we want to make sure that we are here to erase those and set a great foundation for all students.”
Students who attended the virtual event learned about the warning signs of suicide and how to help someone if they think that they are at risk.
“Whether you are someone who is struggling or has struggled with suicidal thoughts or know somebody who is, everybody plays a role in preventing suicide. Noticing things like a drastic change in someone’s behavior or giving away prized possessions, those are signs, those are things you need to address,” said Julianne Schrader, the Assistant Director of Residence Life for Staff Development.
“Asking direct questions is important as well,” Schrader said. “It is a myth that if you ask someone directly if they’re considering hurting themselves or considering suicide that you will put that idea in their head. That is not the case. Direct questions are very important even though it’s very uncomfortable and may be kinda scary.”
Due to COVID-19, many students have been struggling a lot more with feelings of isolation that can greatly impact their mental health. In addition, many students may be afraid or uncomfortable talking about their feelings of anxiety or depression.
“People are less likely to share things that are going on with them because they think that they might be judged or people might shame them or talk about them in a way that makes them even more unwilling to talk about it, but the point of the matter is that you are not alone,” said Aaliyah Bond, Graduate Associate for the Office of Diversity & Student Engagement and founder of The Elephant in the Room support group.
The purpose of the Virtual Mental Health Check was to make sure that students would be informed about these topics regarding mental health and would be more willing to ask for help if they needed it. Too many college students have gone without help, and about one out of ten college students contemplates suicide. However, nine out of ten of those people can be the ones to help those who are struggling.
If anyone is searching for help on campus, they can visit the Campus Counseling Center, visit the Campus Police, Student Health Services, or talk to a Resident Assistant. They can also call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or the Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386.
