College is stressful

College is stressful. It just is. 

If you’re reaching the point where you feel you can’t handle your stress, you feel absolutely overwhelmed, or you find that your work or relationships are starting to suffer, then it may be time to seek help. If you have had thoughts of hurting yourself, or that you would be better off dead, seek help immediately. 

If you are in a crisis:

Call the SAMHSA Lifeline at 988

Or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741

Therapy can take many forms; it’s not just lying on a couch answering questions about your dreams. 

If you’re struggling you should say something. Nobody benefits from you keeping these things to yourself. Nowadays there are more and more resources to help you deal with your mental health, but no one can help you if you don’t speak up. Your mental health is not your fault, but it is your responsibility.

Recognizing symptoms of depression/anxiety

Feeling overwhelmed and stressed are valid enough reasons to seek therapy, but it’s important to understand when you may be dealing with something more serious.  Depression is more than just being sad, and anxiety is more than just being stressed. These are serious, sometimes debilitating conditions that can take many forms. Pay attention to these warning signs (but keep in mind that only a qualified medical practitioner can make a diagnosis).

Signs of anxiety:

• You’re constantly worrying to the point that you can’t function
• You have difficulty relaxing or concentrating
• You might find yourself sweating or shaking
• You have trouble falling asleep

Signs of depression:

• You find it hard to enjoy the activities you used to
• You have a persistent lack of energy and find it hard to motivate yourself
• You have a consistent low mood
• You feel sad, guilty, or ashamed without a clear cause

If you’re experiencing any of these signs, and especially if they are making it difficult for you to function, you should consider seeking help. A good first step is to meet with a medical practitioner. They can assess your symptoms (usually through a screening test), potentially prescribe medication, and also give you referrals for therapists.

Finding a therapist

Finding a therapist can, unfortunately, sometimes be a challenge, but it is still worth the effort. As mentioned earlier, a referral from your doctor is a good place to start. Your university should have its own counseling center available to students, and may also offer group therapy and other mental health resources. You can also use this website to find a therapist who matches your particular needs.

Basic tips for dealing with mental health

I have been there many times, and I can promise that idleness or silence doesn’t lead anywhere good. Just find something to get you going again. I won’t give you some trite promise that ‘touching grass’ will cure your depression. It likely won’t. The unfortunate reality is that mental health challenges can be persistent and frustrating (all the more reason to not try and fight them alone).

• If you’re feeling stuck, pick something small and just do it. It doesn’t really matter what: make your bed, go for a short walk, call a loved one, go out and get some ice cream. Anything is a good place to start. Just do something. Something that keeps you moving, that doesn’t leave you mired in your thoughts. 

• Social media, or excessive internet use in general, is believed to negatively impact mental health. Consider how much you need to see your friend’s posts about their breakfast, and whether you should try disconnecting for a while. I don’t mean to turn this into some Luddite rant about technology, but social media is not meaningful human contact and can never substitute for it. Try to branch out and find meaningful connections in the real world instead.

• Physical exercise has been shown to be approximately as effective as medication at treating depression, but don’t think that you need to start getting up at 5 AM  to run a mile. Whatever you can manage is a good place to start.

Many times it’s better to do something partially than to do nothing at all. There really is something to be said for just keeping up some kind of momentum. Even just taking a walk is something.