Mental health is an ever-growing issue . With increased cuts to NHS services, a millennial-epidemic has taken hold. University offers many challenges, more than cooking raw meat! And sometimes you can experience mild or temporary distress that divert daily routines…or actual panic attacks.It’s important to recognize these signs, before they become uncontrollable.
A survey of 1,061 students found that one in four undergraduates reported having a mental health problem, with that number rising to a third among female students, compared with 19 per cent for male undergraduates. (Telegraph, 2016)
Personally, experiencing dark chapters has regularly occurred with my health-decisions, love and lifestyle choices.
Anxiety caused regular fears and worries that I struggled to control. However, an optimistic attitude has directed my mental-well-being in the right direction.
“Working with your head, will lead to greatness”… here’s how:
- Set yourself achievable goals – Make sure your goals are specific i.e. compete in Varsity next year; playing 20 hours a week. Too vague you will never evaluate your success.
- Express your feelings – We need to express our thoughts to people we trust; depression and anxiety among male students have increased by 70 per cent in the past 25 years. Defy this pessimistic label and speak up, someone will listen.
- Believe in yourself: Being critical of your failures leads to self-doubt and negativity. Self-esteem is slightly different, reflected by the degree to which we value ourselves.
- Learning to relax: University offers more than a qualification, get involved in the community to relax your mind. Relaxation techniques using apps such as “HeadSpace” are genuine life-savers.
- Keep things in perspective: It’s true! A lumping weight on my shoulders is lifted by expressing my feelings to people I trust. Helping you to recover from hurtful experiences and letting people divulge in your mind, shows true friendship.
University offers professional help and support, with impartial counselling and mental health advice, alongside courses which combat this modern issue.
Outside university gates, South Worcestershire Council offers mental-health support with charities and groups embedded among the noisy pavements.
There’s always a shoulder to cry on, always a ear to listen and minds to act.
Howard. x
Worcester Student Life 