Mental Health and the Transition to College Life
BY ERIC SANTANA – College, the time all young adults are looking forward to as they finally get the opportunity to expand their “bubbles” and get a chance to face the world and create their own individual experiences. This is truly an exciting and dynamic time for many students and their families, however, among the estimated 20 million US students that will be enrolled in colleges this fall, there is also an evident sense of emotional uproar that comes with this critical transition. While adapting to this new environment, many students develop a variety of negative feelings that have the potential to follow them throughout their entire college experience and potentially their future adulthood. According to reports from the American College Health Association, it is estimated that last year, approximately 3/5 college students experienced overwhelming feelings of anxiety and 2/5 severe symptoms of depression. This is a problem that has plagued college students for many generations, and it is due to a multitude of reasons that stem from the entire college experience.
Again, the undergraduate experience is often regarded as a time period where a young adult tastes their first drop of freedom from their previous restrictions in highschool and their home. This can be very rewarding but also poses a large risk as some students are not ready for such a large transition, especially when attending a school such as UGA with more than 30,000 students. This form of freedom and a lack of organized structure on such a large scale can be very detrimental to one’s mental health as it can cause feelings of dissolution and daze. It can cause one to feel lost and forgotten in the lonely environment that colleges create. Today, it is one of the worst times for mental health with young adult suicide rates being higher than they have been in decades, and many attribute that to a variety of uncontrollable factors, but there are things we need to do to combat this issue in our own daily lives.
First, the best way to combat this potential dilemma that may face incoming students and studnts in general is to take the stigma away from mental health and get people talking more about the issue. It is estimated that only about 10-15% of students actually utilize their on-campus counseling services, and this is simply something that must be changed given the number of students facing mental health issues. Bottling in the issues that plague one’s mind can cause them to be pushed and pushed until they can no longer take it and these feelings of anxiety or stress that may be bottled up, often shift to the individual and materialize as depressive symptoms. Thus, not only is it up to the university to make changes but also the student body to create support networks through clubs and or within friend groups. If you know someone who is struggling, reaching out may be uncomfortable at first, but your impact can go a long way.
Aside from speaking to trained professionals or close friends, there are also manners in which one can make strides to better themselves and their mindset. One tactic that is often well regarded and supported by a variety of mental health professionals is the practice of developing positive affirmations, also known as mantras. Affirmations are calculated phrases used to ensure positivity about a particular situation despite any negative feelings or emotions surrounding it. Research has actually found that 80% of self talk is negative; it is clear that being more positive and using well though phrases in light of stressful and or anxiety-ridden situations may bring just the form of relief needed to overcome one’s mind and attain a fresh new perspective. Affirmations are a powerful tool to truly approach a situation from a better mindset and this can be as simple as reminding yourself that things can change and that you are the master of your own reality.
Another useful technique that can be very beneficial to cope with mental health crises is the practice of meditation. Recently, there have been multiple studies that show results highlighting the benefits of meditation on mental health, and this can be attributed to a variety of factors. Meditation often employs a variety of breathing techniques that are meant to relax the mind and body; by utilizing this practice, one can find a source of peace and deep relaxation amidst turbulent times in the college atmosphere. Moreover, meditation also allows one to truly dive into their own mind and understand what they are feeling. By slipping into a state of deep relaxation, one is better able to pinpoint what exactly is making them feel the way they are feeling. This allows for better management of emotion and provides the opportunity for strides of growth as one has a clearer perspective on what is truly wrong. By mediating and taking even a second out of your day to understand how you are feeling you will be better able to not only understand yourself but also what triggers set you into a bad mindset and how to bypass these triggers. The American college experience makes young adults question who they are and what they want and mediation is an extremely beneficial tactic that can help anyone have better control and understanding of their mind. Today, it is used in a variety of professions including philosophers, practicing psychologists, and even professional athletes.
The transition and environment created in college is one that can be beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. However, it can also be darkened by a loss of self and identity crises. These issues, if not handled correctly, often develop for the worse and can ruin one’s entire undergraduate experience. In order to avoid this and save the lives of our students, we must come together and create a community of support and acceptance with no stigma against speaking about our mental health. Here at the University of Georgia, there are a variety of organizations and opportunities to help aid the fight to combat mental health such as the National Alliance on Mental Health, and there are also university-sponsored resources to help aid individuals who may be struggling with mental health. If you or anyone around you may be struggling, please reach out and push yourself to make a change.
UGA Mental Health Resources
https://uga.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/NOC
https://coe.uga.edu/directory/counseling-and-personal-evaluation
Photography Source: Bianca Patel