By Autumn Gourley
2019-2020 Peer Mentor
May is mental health awareness month, but what about all of the other months? Online, mental health is proposed as such an important concept that should be taken seriously. However, mental health is one of the least common things talked about in person. Not many people are willing to talk about mental health because it makes them uncomfortable. Also, no one probably wants to just randomly go around talking about all of the things that bothers them. Even though I am only a student, I am here to express the importance of mental health, and getting the help you or someone else may need.
Getting help starts with realizing you may be suffering. Mental illnesses come in all shapes, sizes, and forms. Whether you suffer from depression, anxiety, AD(H)D or anything else, you’re not alone! Millions of us suffer from something. At this point in our lives, life is extremely hard and stressful. College isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. Adulting isn’t doing whatever you want whenever you want. Events can happen in your life that really throw you off course but that’s OKAY! It’s okay to not feel okay. The important thing is to take steps in a more positive direction.
I personally suffer from anxiety and depression so I know how hard life can be sometimes. I took a really dark path but ended up realizing I needed to change for a mentally healthier me. I started going to therapy and even started taking medication. None of this probably matters to everyone but my point of this whole thing is that mental illness is a real issue. Suicide is a real issue. We as a society try to mask mental illness as if it’s just a “phase” and will eventually go away. Don’t be afraid to take positive actions towards a better you. Go to the gym, go see a therapist, go hang out with friends, or read your favorite book. Just take time to develop some self care strategies. To everyone out in the world suffering: you are never alone. You have friends, professors, family, pets, and a bunch more people who love and care about you. You are more than your struggles. If you or anyone you know is going through a hard time or just need someone in general, call the UD helpline 24/7/365 at 302-831-1001.