Summer Mental Health Check-In
Summer break is right around the corner! Even though you won’t feel the same pressure to pull all-nighters or work on assignments, you still have “work” to do. The summer offers you a great opportunity to do all the fun and relaxing things you’ve been putting off for the past months, nonetheless, it is also a perfect time for you to check in on your emotional and mental health. The statistics on college students’ psychological and emotional challenges are somewhat disconcerting and alarming:
30% report signs and symptoms of clinical depression
50% report feeling overwhelmingly anxious
25% report experiencing suicidal ideation
15% report that mental, emotional, or psychological challenges have a negative impact on their function
Watch Out for Signs
Mental Health America has listed out some signs that college students should watch out for:
Become more irritated
Getting more forgetful than before
Avoiding family and friends
Withdrawal from activities you used to love
Difficulty maintaining attention or concentration
Hearing voices recently that no one seems to hear
What to Do
Taking action is better than waiting it out if you suspect you are experiencing a mental illness.
Do some research about the mental illness you are possibly experiencing.
Get a sense of the symptoms of the mental illness.
Take a few different mental health screens.
Do not label yourself until you get an accurate diagnosis.
Talk to someone you trust unconditionally about what you are going through.
Keep learning more about mental health.
A 31-Day Challenge to Boost Your Mental Health
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and it has been recognized since 1949 in the United States. Mental well-being is an important aspect of your life, and we invite you to join us for a 31-Day Challenge to celebrate the Month of Mental Health Awareness and boost your mental wellness! Check out the 31-Day Challenge on our Instagram @unainclusion and interact with us.
Here are 31 tips to boost your mental health this month!
Campus Resources
If you think you might be undergoing a mental health issue, seek professional help. The University of North Alabama provides free and quality counseling services including individual and group counseling. Student Counseling Services helps students develop coping strategies to manage problems that may be affecting health, wellbeing, and/or academic performance. You can find more information and resources at https://www.una.edu/counseling/ and on Instagram @una_scs.
Written By:
Haoran Huang | Mitchell-West Center for Social Inclusion
Sponsored by:
Mitchell-West Center for Social Inclusion
