Year: Graduate Student
Major: Public Health
I’m a mental health advocate because of the impact sharing my mental health experiences has had on people I care about. I had anxiety as a kid—just not to the point of needing support. However, that changed when I started college. Feelings of depression and anxiety were getting too much for me to handle. After seeking help with a counselor and starting an anti-depressant, I was really sleepy most of the time. I struggled with my first semester before getting help weaning off the medication.
When I studied abroad my sophomore year, my mental health issues culminated. I really started to spiral—I was in a new place, meeting new friends, and dealing with a bad breakup all at the same time. I even considered coming back home early. Then, I connected with a therapist while abroad. This time, counseling was really my breakthrough. We related well and I started to learn a lot about taking care of myself. I developed more ways of coping with stress. The skills and strategies I learned are tools I still use today, even though I don’t currently have a therapist.
Not having a quick fix can be frustrating—it’s taken time and work to figure out what is right for my mental health. And, when I’ve shared openly about my experiences with my friends, it has not only helped them seek out help when they needed it, but it’s made our relationships closer. It may feel as if you aren’t strong or that you should be able to get yourself out of a slump—but that’s not real. That’s why we have support, including friends and family.