In honor of mental health awareness day being this month, let’s talk about it.
Why are we so shy to talk about mental health? There is an incredibly negative stigma around mental health where society causes us to feel “shameful” and “weak” for feeling like we may need help. The silence we give this matter is truly the loudest silence I have ever heard. There are an uncountable amount of factors that can affect mental health, starting as young or old as you could imagine. We do not speak up about it which is why we sometimes think it’s uncommon and that nobody could possibly understand how we may be feeling. The Canadian Mental Health Association stated that “In the course of a lifetime, not all people will experience a mental illness, but everyone will struggle or have a challenge with their mental well-being.” It’s important to understand that this is normal and is not something to be embarrassed by.
As a college student, I have seen how many others are in a similar position as I am. The expectation to maintain that “perfect student” image of getting straight A’s, while balancing their life with work and extracurriculars, while also being able to relax and take time to themselves, almost seems impossible. We tend to put the largest amount of pressure on ourselves and set unrealistic standards that we simply cannot reach. The pressure can come from so many things ranging from our parents, teachers, fear of the uncertainties of our future, etc. It can be hard to just live in the present and not stress or worry about life.
At the end of the day, we’re all humans with feelings who don’t give themselves enough credit. A few things I have learned is that it is okay to ask for help and it is okay to not feel 100% sometimes. Life has so many precious moments that allow you to learn and grow; it should not be something you let overwhelm you with stress. You are not alone and you owe it to yourself to take a break.
Check on your friends, check on your family, and most importantly check in on yourself. You are important, you are worth it, and you deserve to be heard.