Mental Health at School & How to Care for Yourself

People say that college is the best four years of your life. This statement is true; you can experience new things, take on new responsibilities, and grow and learn independently. However, this can also be a difficult time of change for some students. College is the first time many students are away from their parents for an extended period of time and have to learn how to take care of themselves physically and mentally.

Specifically, for college students, the rate of mental health problems has steadily increased over the past eight years, with rates higher among racial and ethnic minority students. During the 2021-2022 school year, more than 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem, according to the Healthy Minds Study. Mental health affects everyone. However, there are many resources online and around college campuses to help these students receive proper help.

Resources to Help

Wellness Centers

Loyola University Chicago, where I attend school, has a wellness center providing high-quality, confidential, holistic medical, mental health, and health promotion services. You can schedule therapy appointments to talk to our Mental Health Professionals about personal feelings you want to discuss in a healthy environment. Someone will always be there to talk to you and advise you on anything that is going on in your life. The Wellness Center is committed to making services, resources, and educational materials accessible to students while working to address barriers that impact access to care, including stigma around help-seeking. They also work with other on-campus organizations to host fun events to promote well-being, skills, and experiences that empower students to thrive at university and future endeavors.

NAMI

There are a bunch of organizations that are available online that focus on helping people with their mental health. There is an organization named NAMI, which stands for National Alliance on Mental Health, that promotes community wellness, breaks down barriers to mental health care, and provides support and expertise for families, professionals, and individuals throughout the United States. They work to create a world that prioritizes mental wellness and bridge people into the care and support they deserve to live thriving lives of recovery. NAMI supports those struggling with their mental health through education, advocacy, and community partnership.

Take Care of Yourself

It’s most important to prioritize taking care of yourself. Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical and mental health. Take a break when you need to, ask for help, or talk to others about issues you are experiencing in your life. People care about you and want to help you; you are never alone.

Citations

“Loyola University Chicago.” Mission and Vision : Wellness Center: Loyola University Chicago, https://www.luc.edu/wellness/about/missionandvision/.

Maio, Harold A., et al. “Mental Health of College Students Is Getting Worse.” Boston University, 21 Apr. 2022, https://www.bu.edu/articles/2022/mental-health-of-college-students-is-getting-worse/.

“Student Mental Health Is in Crisis. Campuses Are Rethinking Their Approach.” Monitor on Psychology, American Psychological Association, https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/10/mental-health-campus-care.

“Who We Are.” NAMI Chicago, https://www.namichicago.org/who-we-are.