University Mental Health Awareness Day
University Mental Health Awareness Day takes place on 9th March 2023 and is a day to raise awareness in both students and their places of study about mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. It's an important initiative as one in five people will experience a mental health problem each year and this can have a huge impact on students' lives.
University Mental Health Awareness Day aims to help students feel less alone when they're struggling with their mental health; it also encourages them to seek help if they need it. This is especially important for first-year students who may not know where or how to get support at university yet (or even what kind of support would be helpful).
The Need for Mental Health Support on Campus
So why is University Mental Health Awareness Day important? Well, when we consider that;
Approximately one in five college students have a diagnosable mental health condition.
One in four college students will experience some form of depression during their time at university and more than half of those cases go undiagnosed or untreated.
Students with depression are more likely to drop out of their course than their peers; they also report lower results and higher levels of anxiety about academic performance compared with other students who don't struggle with mental health issues.
We can see straight away that students need to be supported whilst they are trying their best to do well. This applies to ALL students but has particular importance for students dealing with mental health difficulties to ensure these don’t continue undetected.
Creating a Supportive Environment
In order to create a supportive environment for students, universities should:
Recognize the signs of mental health issues and provide resources to help students.
Promote self-care by providing opportunities for relaxation and exercise on campus.
Create and maintain an open and honest discussion around mental health to de-stigmatise the need to seek help.
Resources Available to Students
As a student, you may be facing a lot of stress. With classes, extracurricular activities and social life all vying for your attention, alongside potential day to day stresses in life, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. The good news is there should be plenty of resources available at the University that can help you manage these pressures and maintain good mental health.
Counselling sessions should be available through your Student Support Services. If you're experiencing an acute crisis or need immediate assistance with suicidal ideation or other serious mental health concerns, please speak to someone straight away.
If talking with someone face-to-face isn't something that feels comfortable right now then consider reaching out online or over the telephone instead; there are many websites dedicated specifically towards helping people talk through their difficulties and find local support where appropriate. There are also sites that specialise in dealing specifically with psychological issues related towards mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), bipolar disorder etc
Small ways to Take Care of Yourself
Eat well and get enough sleep.
Stay active, but don't overdo it.
Get enough sunlight or take vitamin D supplements if necessary (the sun is not always an option).
Practice good hygiene and keep your environment clean, especially your bedroom! This will support you to relax at night.
Encouraging Open Conversation
Universities should encourage open conversation and they should provide a minimum of:
A safe space for students to talk about mental health where they can be heard and supported in that space.
A counselling service.
Opportunities to reduce pressure around studies.
Peer support / mentoring opportunities.
Conclusion
University Mental Health Awareness Day is a great opportunity for students and staff to come together and talk about mental health. However, it's important to remember that this is just one day in the year and our mental health is of vital importance to our wellbeing and success throughout the year and for the length of the course.
Check in with yourself daily. How is your mood looking? Do you need help? Find it.
You can find out more about how your university or college supports student wellbeing by looking at their website or contacting them directly.
For some great tips on looking after yourself in your studies, take a look at this handy checklist.
