Struggling with Mental Health in College
College is a stressful thing even without all the stressors and triggers of everyday life. All the stress can wear on your mental health, and make college even more difficult to complete. During my time at Minnesota State University, Mankato, I had to overcome many mental health challenges all while trying to complete my studies, work a part-time job, and socialize with my family and friends. By reaching out for help, and being open about my mental health I was, and still am improving my mental health.
When I left for college, anxiety, and depression was definitely a part of my life, but not noticeable in a way that affected my everyday routine or schedule. It wasn’t until I left for Mankato that my mental health started to become out of hand and was affecting my social and educational life.
Leaving for college, like many other students, was the first time I was away from all the support systems I had while I was living at home. But now I was away from all my family and friends, and out of my comfort zone. As a result, my depression and anxiety became much worse.
I started to avoid going on campus at all costs, and I would only go on campus for class. I wouldn’t talk to any of my classmates, let alone make eye contact. I basically didn’t want to leave my apartment, and I would spend most of my time in my room avoiding my roommates as well. I basically started to completely isolate myself from the world, and everyone in it.
I would call my parents almost daily to talk to them because as I said before they were my biggest support system. When I was upset or stressed about something I would go to them for help. I started to become so homesick that I went home every weekend to be with my family. Eventually, my parents said they started to notice major changes in my personality and my mood, and they were concerned. My entire family has at some point dealt with anxiety and/or depression, so they knew the symptoms and signs to look for. They suggested that I talk to a physician on campus and see what they could offer to help me and my mental health journey.
So, I called the University’s clinic and set up a mental health assessment. Throughout the meeting, I told my physician about how I was feeling, how my mental health was affecting my education and my social life along with just overall happiness, and my family’s history with depression and anxiety. After our meeting, I started to feel like I could see the light at the end of this long, dreary, and lonely tunnel. I was going to start taking antidepressants, and my campus physician provided a list of therapy clinics that were available to me both on and off-campus.
Over time my mental health started to slowly improve, and along the way, I learned different techniques to overcome depressive episodes or panic attacks. I’ve been going to therapy, taking antidepressants, and I’ve improved on communicating with my friends and family. I did go through a rough patch over Covid-19, but honestly who didn’t, am I right? But I eventually got back on track and have been growing and improving day by day.
As for where I am on my mental health journey now, I’d label it as a work in progress. I’ve definitely grown and bettered myself and my mental health, but there are still things I need to conquer and address.
Addressing mental health challenges isn’t a quick fix, it takes time and effort in order to get positive results. My experience with mental health has made me appreciate all those in my life who were there to support me and encourage me along my journey. And I want to be that same person for other people, so I’ve become a big advocate for talking about mental health.
Growing up, the subject of mental health always felt like such a taboo thing to talk about—something you should keep hidden from others. But I think the more people talk about it, the less lonely everyone who struggles with mental health issues will feel.
If you’ve made it to the end, I hope reading about my mental health journey has helped you in some way. Whether it’s informed you of campus resources, encouraged you to start working on your mental health, or has given you a better understanding of what people with depression or anxiety go through on a daily basis, I hope my story has brought some form of light to the end of your dark tunnels.
