It is that time of the semester. It is after winter break and people are counting down the days until summer. Being a student in college, stress and exhaustion can take a toll on people. The challenge of school on top of personal struggles can make a person feel truly alone. It is important during these stressful times to take care of yourself.
Mental health issues are common, but they are extremely apparent in college students. “The American College Health Association’s (ACHA) Spring 2022 National College Health Assessment surveyed over 54,000 undergraduate students. It revealed that approximately 77% were experiencing moderate to serious psychological distress” (Bryant and Welding 2023). In this study, students experienced loneliness, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, and committing self-harm. The rate and severity in which college students are experiencing mental illness is extremely alarming.
This mental illness often starts way before college. “More than two thirds of children reported at least 1 traumatic event by age 16” (SAMHSA 2023). With how the world is today, it is not uncommon for younger people to experience serious trauma. Experiences can include eating disorders, anxiety, depression, sexual assault, abuse, and much more. These traumas alone take an immense toll on a person. Trying to cope with this past while adding more stress, such as higher education, makes life even harder.
It is time we acknowledge this increase in mental illness and what it is doing to people. As college students, we do not have a lot of time due to classes and assignments. However, it is important to prioritize self-care. The National Institute of Mental Health says exercise, setting goals, getting enough sleep, staying positive, being grateful, and many other things could improve mental health. In college, finding the time for these practices is difficult. But journaling, talking with friends, or even going for a short walk are great steps towards better mental health.
As a college student, I have experienced this anxiety, depression from exams and classes, and preexisting mental health issues. I struggle to find time to prioritize self-care but one thing that does help me is writing. Writing out one’s feelings and experiences can be very therapeutic and helpful in releasing emotions. This is why I have created a project called “Letters to No One.” This a safe space is provided for people to anonymously submit a “letter to no one” writing about a time in their life that they struggled with.
This project’s purpose is to give people the opportunity to prioritize their mental health and get self-care. Later in the semester, there will be a small show where a few stories will be performed as spoken pieces. The stories selected will only be chosen with the writer’s consent. This event is to shed light on serious issues while showing others that they are not alone. This will be a safe space to discuss other issues and practices to help students.
Mental health is extremely important. As college students, there are tons of factors that add to the decline in our mental health. If you are struggling or just looking for a way to work through an experience, please scan the QR code. Everything is completely anonymous for your safety and comfort. This practice has helped me, and I hope it will do the same for you.