Helping others with mental struggles
According to a study done by the American Psychological Association, one-third of first year college students experience mental illness.
Some of the most common mental health issues are anxiety disorders, which include thoughts or worries that severely impede a person’s behavior or lifestyle. A person with an anxiety disorder might avoid certain situations where they feel anxious or even experience physical pains.
Amanda Willett, the director of wellness for the School of Veterinary Medicine at Utah State University, said the USU population as a whole struggle mostly with depression, anxiety and high stress, all of which interfere with their ability to focus on school work and study effectively.
She encouraged students to take a moment to slow down and look at the anxious or stressful thought patterns that they experience so they can make different decisions when they’re faced with anxiety or depression.
Amanda also pointed out students at USU who experience such struggles have a host of resources to help them on the USU Counseling and Psychological Services, or CAPS, website.
USU psychologists created the “ACT Guide” — an online self-help program to help students improve their mental wellbeing at their own pace.
The program is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, a type of therapy that teaches mindfulness as a way to change behavior and improve mental awareness.
The ACT Guide encourages students to make a personalized plan that helps with whatever mental health goals they want to accomplish and is comprised of 12 modules that the student can complete whenever they have time and from their own computer.
Additionally, students can email CAPS to find solutions for mental health treatment, including therapy appointments.
Those who are at high safety risk or have experienced recent trauma can contact capsinfo@usu.edu for same or next day appointments.
Students who aren’t interested in therapy can also attend support groups, workshops or other self-guided contact to learn healthy coping skills and share their experiences with others.
Amanda also believes that support from peers and friends can make a big impact when it comes to fighting mental illness.
“We as humans need connection and when we don’t have that it can feel really isolating, so I think support is really important,” she stated.
Shaylee Olson, a USU student studying mental health advocacy and awareness, agreed that having a support network is essential when it comes to overcoming anxiety and depression.
“I think that we require connection with others,” Olson said. “So, if we are solely focused on homework or our studies then we’re removing a huge part of ourselves. So, if we don’t have that connection then we lose that motivation to be human.”
She recommended students who aren’t sure how to help their friends who struggle with depression or other mental illness can take on the role of an advocate instead of a therapist.
“If you’re stressed or depressed or you’re so overwhelmed with everything that’s happening that it makes it difficult to process what other people are telling you to do,” Olson said. “You don’t want to be told what to do, you just want someone to be there for you.”
-Ryker.Eggenberger@usu.edu
Featured photo by: Paige Johnson