Another October, Another Mental Health Awareness Month
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Another October, Another Mental Health Awareness Month

Stigma still exists, even in places where you wouldn't expect.

40
Another October, Another Mental Health Awareness Month

This semester I am taking an upper level biology class, and the professor for the class has really surprised me. My professor who has a PhD in genetics, often uses the term "OCD", when describing things like assignments that require a lot of details. OCD is a real diagnosis, not an adjective used for meticulous work. I expect better from my professors and from Emory. When you say things like "sorry for being OCD about this, but I need it done like that" you are automatically saying that OCD is a weakness or a bad thing, and it is anything but that. How can professors expect for their class to be a welcoming environment to learn in if a student felt like they were being made fun of every day in the class?

We need to continue talking about mental health, because we need to make sure people have access to the resources and support that they need. We need to continue the conversation so that people stop misusing diagnosis terms as adjectives. So that we stop judging people when they miss events or class because of a depressive episode or panic attack. So that we do not try to dismiss their feelings. This is not being over sensitive, their feelings are valid. This is being aware of discrimination and ableism. Ableism is defined as discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities. This includes mental illness and mental health.

If I have learned anything these past seven months, it is that there is still a very long way to go for mental health care. I am thankful for the care that I have received but in ways it is a new field. The way we treat the illness has dramatically changed in the last 100 years, but because of that I feel that it is still behind the rest of medicine. I was recently started taking medication to hopefully reduce the nightmares that I have been having for the last 7 months. What I found was just one big guessing game, but one that I was familiar with. When you see a doctor about medication for mental illness the doctor evaluates you and what you are experience and then they look at a list of approved medications that have proven to work, and then decide what they think the best fit would be. And spoiler alert, sometimes it's not the best fit! Sometimes the medication that is supposed to stop your nightmares ends up causing you to sleep so deeply that you can't wake up from the nightmares and then you are just left with the vivid memories of the nightmares the next morning.

People that struggle with their mental health deserve our support. Why can't we give that to them? Why do we struggle as a society to let them know that we want them to get the help they are looking for? Why do we think that this is not a real health problem? Why are we not taking mental health seriously?


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

52374
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33653
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956422
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181281
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments