The past few weeks, I’ve worried that Belmont has created a dangerously thick little bubble of happiness for itself. One step onto the campus and you’re greeted with bushels of gorgeously crafted flowerbeds and giant resort-like buildings. Even the first day you arrive onto campus, you’re greeted by a group of cheering upperclassmen with huge smiles bolted on their faces. Please do not misunderstand me -- I love everything in the past two sentences, especially the efforts of the students that work so hard to make Belmont a welcoming place from day one. All of these efforts come out of a sincere wish to make Belmont the best place that it can be. My concern is that because everything is so shiny and pretty at Belmont, people may be afraid to speak up if they feel slightly less than shiny and pretty.
Despite the administration’s valiant efforts to emphasize mental health and make students feel comfortable, the problem still continues. During Suicide Awareness Week, I watched as countless Belmont students who seemed to be the happiest post articles or blog posts or statuses about their struggles with depression, anxiety and/or suicidal thoughts or attempts. Having struggled with depression and anxiety myself, this hit me hard.
Why are we so determined to look like we’re okay?
This is no one’s fault. Smiling faces and beautifully maintained facilities are not ever to be blamed for people’s deeply rooted internal struggles -- even writing the sentence feels ridiculous. I simply worry that Belmont students get sucked into a groupthink mindset that states that when you’re not feeling happy, it’s best to “fake it until you make it” because it seems silly to feel down at a place like Belmont.
“If everyone else is happy here, why can’t I feel that way?”
“I’m so fortunate to even go here, why do I feel so depressed?”
The friendly, welcoming atmosphere is what sold me on Belmont. Even as I was touring, students smiled as I walked by and were helpful if I was lost. People seemed genuinely glad to be there. I still believe that this is true of most people that attend Belmont. However, at times, we need to lift the veil and deal with what may be going on underneath. We’re all figuring things out together, and sometimes life isn’t very fun. There is no need to feel that you’re alone. There is no need to feel that you need to pretend like you’re okay.
Please, just know that those bright, smiling faces that insist that you don’t touch a bit of your stuff when you move in aren’t there to pressure you into feeling like you have to fake-smile your way through college. They’re there because they want to help you ease your way into a real smile during an otherwise very stressful time. I know personally how hard it is to feel less-than-great feelings on a campus that oozes happiness. But please, if you’re feeling depressed, anxious, or having any sort of suicidal thoughts, talk to one of those smiling faces that welcomed you (as well as one of the highly qualified counselors at the Counseling Services office). Talk to anyone. Judging by all of the posts I’ve seen in the past few weeks, they may just feel the same way. You’re never alone -- speak up.
