Starting college is an exciting time.
You will meet people who will be your best friends long after you graduate; you will learn concepts that completely change how you see the world; some of us will even meet the love of our lives and marry them.
While this is an exciting time for many, there are some who are caught up in a world of mental health issues.
The university has many resources for students who are facing any issues concerning their mental health. Student Health and Counseling Services offers a confidential resource to discuss issues in relationships, worries about academic performance, depression, anxiety, self-esteem and self-confidence issues, and anything else you may be struggling with.
Free mental health screenings are also offered at Student Health.
Another resource is the GENS 101 course for freshmen. Freshmen are required to enroll in the class which teaches basic skills that will help them succeed at the collegiate level. Students are assigned a pep leader responsible for being someone students can communicate their needs and questions to all semester.
If you, at any point, are experiencing symptoms such as confused thinking, long-lasting sadness or irritability, suicidal thoughts, physical harm, extremely high and low moods, excessive fear, worry or anxiety, please reach out to your pep leader, success counselor, professors, adviser, Resident Assistant or someone at Student Health.
In an emergency anyone can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or 911.
As October is host to Mental Health Awareness week, I encourage whoever is reading this to have a discussion with someone you trust about your mental health. If you haven’t been feeling okay, consider making an appointment.
The first step to taking care of your mental health is easy but also the hardest. All you have to do is pick up the phone and call Student Health and make an appointment. By simply having a conversation about your mental health, you have the option to start a plan to put yourself first.
