Mental health is a serious issue, seek help if needed
A weather-induced gloom has settled over the University of Idaho.
Students are finding ways to stay indoors as much as possible to avoid exposure to the extreme cold lurking outside, the world grows dark around 5 p.m. and workloads for classes are increasing in preparation for upcoming final exams. These conditions could set the stage for a huge blow to morale, as many UI students could be coming down with seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Fortunately, in honor of Mental Health Wellness Week, ASUI and UI’s Suicide Prevention Program are working to raise the awareness for mental health issues and support available on campus. Notable efforts included the Hot Chocolate for Mental Health tabling event earlier this week and the Free Speech Wall located in the TLC, which was filled with information on mental health.
With all the stresses of college life, keeping aware of one’s mental health and the well-being of others is incredibly important.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, many people experience the first symptoms of depression in the early years of college, but usually do not receive the help they need. UI provides free counseling services to all students. Yet, according to the institute, students don’t choose to get help because they believe their symptoms are merely due to the stressful nature of the college environment.
It’s crucial to stay aware of the common signs of depression in yourself and others. Most of the time, people suffering from depression don’t realize it. If someone close to you is showing symptoms of depression, it is your responsibility to support them and simply be there if they need it. According to the institute, some frequent signs of depression include persistent sadness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, insomnia and loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable.
Many people are under the impression that depression is a taboo topic, like many other mental health issues. But depression shouldn’t be something people are ashamed of, it’s a medical condition and it’s OK to seek help. No one will place judgment on a decision to speak about the issue, and if they do, they are ignorant to the problems depression can cause. Depression is something that requires medical attention, like any other medical issue and ignoring it can simply make the problem worse.
Some people believe to efficiently help someone with depression, they need to try and cheer them up. Depression is more than a temporary state of sadness, so trying to force someone into happiness could make the situation worse. Students should instead provide support for their friends affected by depression and offer an open ear.
In college, it can be tempting to ignore mental or physical needs to focus on homework or other matters that seem more important. But at the end of the day, what’s most important is taking care of personal well-being.
— EB