Last year, I founded the To Write Love on Her Arms UChapter group on SUNY Albany's campus. As a student that has personally been impacted by anxiety and depression, I found that the stigma correlated with mental health disorders was mind-blowing, which is why I decided to found TWLOHA on our campus. Just recently, one of the events our group held for the members was a candlelight ceremony. This event allowed anyone that felt comfortable to share their story with us. I did not know what to expect, how people would react, how I, myself, would react, or if people would be willing to expose themselves in such a vulnerable manner.
I was honored and touched by the stories and testaments I heard, but the comfort that I experienced in the room also saddened me because this environment isn't what the entire campus has. I pose the question to my group, and now pose the question to you: how often do you hear the issue of mental health being mentioned? What about the comfort level you have talking about the awkward word, therapy? I can already see the virtual grimaces...Why is this? I often say during our meetings that one will not hesitate to say they have asthma... We should not fear to say that we have something like depression.
Here's the thing: mental disorders exist. The dark side of mental health should not be taboo. College campuses nationwide have the resources to help students such as counseling services, but we as students are still in the mode of not wanting to talk about, or even utilize them. Mental health is a topic that needs to be eased into with people. I don't expect to throw them into the pool and shout SWIM! What I emphasize and strive for is to at least get their feet wet. As students, we attend universities of all different realms, but do you live in a university setting or in a community? Here's the difference between the two: universities will help a student to flourish and succeed in their academic, professional, athletic, and social endeavors, aiding in the overcoming of challenges associated along the way. Communities will help to ensure accomplishments in all of these areas, along with acknowledging the personal challenges, including mental health, as well. We have the professional resources on campuses, but keep them a secret. Understand that as students, you will be the creators of an impactful and accepting environment. Open up discussions, and dare to talk about the unspoken. I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly, but too often only the good, and "acceptable bad," such as a lousy course, is spoken about because that's what the norm is. Break the norm. Change your university, and decide, who you are, a university or community?
