Mental health is a topic that most don’t dive into because it is either too serious or is used as a general reminder to stay sane during finals. The problem is, there is not enough awareness of mental health until it’s too late.

Being a college student means attempting to multitask almost every aspect of life. Having positive mental health is one of the most important aspects of your life to keep in check. Mental health is one of those topics that is always pushed to the side until something tragic happens. Many times, when you tell someone that you’re not doing okay, they think that it’s all in your head and everything is easily fixed by laughing it off and moving on.

In high school, mental health isn’t really talked about unless you’re really lucky and your school offers a counselor. But you may only be able to see this counselor if your insurance covers it. Even then, going to see a therapist isn’t something you just shout from the rooftops (or down the halls). It's assumed that if you are going to see a therapist, something is wrong with you. That's the stigma.

Imagine your wine-drunk Aunt Shirley at the annual family Christmas party when you tell her you’ve been seeing a shrink.

“Oooooh,” she smiles way too wide and leans in, voice lowered. “Are you okay? You’re not suicidal are you?”

What Aunt Shirley, and apparently much of the American population doesn’t know, is that there isn’t a “messed up” qualification you have to meet in order to see a therapist. Nothing weird happens in those rooms. You don’t have to lay down on a couch and close your eyes. You don’t have to tell them anything you don’t want to. You don’t have to talk about anything in particular.

You can literally go to a counselor to talk about your frustration with the American political scene (you may actually need to lay down for that one) or the ridiculous number of times your lit professor says “um” in lecture. If those are the things stressing you out the most, get them off your chest. Stress can affect you negatively, whether it is from an overload of chemistry homework or gossip traveling around your friend group.

You might just need to vent every couple weeks about some minor stressors, but if something more serious is on your mind, therapists are there for that too.

I know, usually, if something small is bothering me, I can usually get it off my chest by confiding in a friend or writing in my journal (NOT diary, Mom). But there are some bigger problems that require a professional, unbiased opinion.

You see, your therapist is YOUR therapist. They're not there to help you see “both sides of the story” or make you into the perfect, responsible college student that your parents so desperately wish you would mold into. They’re just there to listen to and support you.

If you're struggling with school, your personal life, or your mental health — go to therapy. It might be just what you need to get back on track with the things that matter.