Year: Senior
Major: Biology, Pre-Med
Minor: Psychology
Mental health is a big part of our well-being. And, while a lot of people like to focus on health and wellness, they often leave mental health off to the side. I’ve had personal experience with this while in college. I started my freshman year during the COVID-19 pandemic. I was away from home for the first time and living on campus, but I was isolated and struggling. I spent a lot of time alone in my room with my thoughts. In my second semester, my grades were plummeting, and I had a lot of imposter syndrome. I didn’t think there were people around that I could talk with about what was on my mind.
I then noticed that my emotions were out of whack; my anger felt angrier, and my sadness felt sadder. That was when I started talking more openly about how I was feeling with my parents. In the years since, I have continued to talk openly about mental health with them. It has also made me consider trying out therapy as an ongoing process of working on myself and putting myself first.
Speaking openly has also influenced how I support students as a resident assistant. I’ve realized there’s a lot about college that can impact your mental health. It could be school, your relationships, or being away from home. Talking with my residents and letting them express themselves lets them know that they don’t have to bottle things up. I feel like it’s necessary to have these conversations. If you feel comfortable, reach out to your friends and family for support. A lot of people don’t put themselves first when they really need it. Putting yourself first and having those conversations with others really does help.