Mental health matters and impacts our lives in unique ways. It鈥檚 more than weathering life鈥檚 normal ups and downs. And it never means you鈥檙e weak, lack character or weren鈥檛 鈥渂rought up right.鈥 It鈥檚 something you deserve to know, and something we should all strive to help each other understand.
That鈥檚 why, beginning Oct. 7, members across the entire University will raise awareness and highlight mental health resources on campus during . For one full week, the University community will come together to educate and advocate and make sure we鈥檙e all heard and seen.
Why Does Mental Health Matter?
Mental illness affects more people than you think. A of around 14,000 first-year students across eight different countries found that 35% of them struggled with mental illness. And in the U.S alone, college students who visited their campus counseling centers as their number one concern, followed by depression, relationship concerns and suicidal ideation. Many students reported experiencing multiple of the above concerns at once. If you鈥檙e interested, learn more about the numbers at the National Alliance on Mental Illness website.
How Can I Participate?
There are a ton of ways to be involved in mental health initiatives on campus.
- Attend a 聽event. More details will be available soon.
- Join a .
- Talk to a member of the , including Students Advocating for Mental Health Empowerment (SAHMEs).
- Advocate for mental health by attending
- Follow @BeWellSU for information on resources and health and wellness tips.
Be sure to take care of yourself, and know that you鈥檙e never alone. If you鈥檙e experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 315.443.8000 to access 24-hour support, seven days a week.
Written by Sayem Sinha 鈥21, College of Arts and Sciences, SAHME Peer Educator