Mental health after COVID-19 has been a crisis for Americans of all ages. By this point, many of us have felt a significant decrease in the state of our mental health or know someone who has.
In recent years, there’s been extensive research on the severity of the mental health crisis and its effect on different groups of people. In the case of college students, these numbers paint a grim picture of the reality of what’s supposed to be an exciting and joyful time in our lives.
According to a report from the national Healthy Minds Study, 36% of university students fit the clinical criteria for anxiety. For depression, that number shoots up to 41%.
The prevalence of this issue leaves us wondering: what are our institutions doing about it?
In an article from Boston University’s School of Public Health, the necessary involvement of colleges in the mental health crisis is highlighted and expanded upon. In addition, the article claims that it is also the responsibility of the instructor to notice changes in their students’ mental health and to try to identify the symptoms of a potential crisis.
This stance on the topic sparks an important conversation about the roles given to professors, lecturers and other instructors. With the recent Title IX introduction, there is now an extra level of protection that instructors are attempting to give to the students that need it. This addition from UMass Boston is introduced as a tool, and the university is “working with all university community members to proactively address concerns of sexual and gender-based harassment.”
If instructors were also to aid in identifying when a student is mentally struggling, there may be an opportunity to truly get to the root of why this mental health crisis is affecting almost every inch of America.
While there are still significant amounts of research and experimental methods being applied to help resolve this national issue, there are also accessible resources that students can take advantage of right now.
For each individual, working to achieve a positive headspace may look different and be executed in a variety of ways. I know people who prefer to keep to themselves for a period of time to recuperate, while others like to spend time with loved ones to raise their spirits.
Solutions for addressing mental health struggles are never one-size-fits-all, and it’s important to know what you as an individual specifically need. It’s definitely not an easy journey, but with support, it can be much more manageable.
Thankfully, help is more widely available than it was in the past. The topic of mental health has been taboo for a long time, especially when we were growing up. That’s why I’m so passionate about the new research emphasizing the importance of taking care of both our bodies and minds, especially as college students.
For example, there is the UMass Boston Counseling Center. I personally know friends who have made use of their services, whether through ongoing in-person therapy meetings or same-day crisis help. Each time, they felt better after talking to the staff in the office. They also have a 24/7 line, which can be reached at 855-634-4135.
All of us are in this together; we’re united in working to get our degrees and make good memories in the process. So, let’s look out for each other and lend a hand to others in the UMass Boston community.
There will be moments of stress throughout these next few months, but we aren’t alone in these feelings. Let’s make sure to take care of ourselves the best we can as this semester starts.
