“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation” – Glenn close.
At a point in our lives, we’ve all been in a period of distress. As a student, your mental health is an important part of academic success and retention but sometimes, you just have a whole lot of syllabus to cover, stress intrudes, anxiety, less effective time management, frustrations and all of that. Calm down…this doesn’t prove you’re abnormal.
It’s important you’re aware of your mental health and this includes our emotional, psychological and social well being. It affects how we think, feel and act so knowing all these helps you handle your stress and anxieties the right way. The peak of mental health is not just about avoiding conditions that contribute to mental health problems but taking a conscious step to ensuring your happiness and wellness.
Mental Illness
Conditions that affect your thinking, feeling, action, mood and behaviour are termed “mental illness/disorders. They may be occasional or long lasting and there is currently no specific cause for mental illness. A number of factors contribute to this.
What causes mental disorders?
1. Biological factors: Genes and family histories ( A family history of mental illness shouldn’t be overlooked when therapies and consultations are carried out. It could be a factor), Infections, Neurotransmitters imbalances (If there is any dysfunction of the nerve, it affects how impulses and transmitted and also the brain function), Medical conditions ( Being diagnosed for cancer or any other disease contributes negatively to a person’s mental health) etc.
2. Anxiety disorders: Everyone can have anxiety but when it becomes constant and overwhelming – often impacting everyday living- it may be an anxiety disorder.
3. Stress: It could be at our workplace, schools or even chores. Stress also has a hand in poor nutrition. When we’re stressed, we sometimes have little or no appetite and this affects our health.
4. Relationships: Are you surprised? I guess not. Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Where there is love there is life.”
Whether you consider yourself a social butterfly, drawn to one-on-one interactions, or prefer your own company, there’s no denying that the quality of your personal relationships affects your levels of happiness, well-being, and physical health. In a case of loneliness, there’s every chance of your mental health being affected. Feeling lonely is a problem but being alone may not be a problem at all. Some people live happily and successful on their own because they build and keep healthy connections and relationships.
Others include: trauma, neglect, loss of loved ones, eating disorders, lifestyle etc.
We’ve heard enough. So what do we do?
1. First of all, you need to seek counsel. It’s important your problem isidentified rightly.Talk to your doctor, therapist and your family members when you notice your mental health is at stake. It’s good you keep secrets but not on this. Be open about how you feel.
2. A mental illness won’t get better if you try to do it your own way so stick to your treatment plans. Don’t skip your medications and therapy even if you feel better. If you notice any change whether negative or positive, tell your therapist or doctor.
3. Avoid alcohol and drug use. It only complicates issues. If you have problems withdrawing, don’t feel reluctant to tell a health care professional. You could even find a support group to help you.
4. Stay active: Exercise and even light activity can help relieve all of your stress. Staying in a particular space gives room for thinking and idleness. Engage in something you love doing.
5. Make healthy choices: In physics, we heard about elastic limit and yield point and we were taught that stresses beyond the elastic limit causes the material to yield or flow.Don’t go beyond your limit, you might break down (It’s okay to reach for the stars ) Don’t have a study plan that keeps you focused on your books 20 hrs in a day. In other words, have a realistic and healthy schedule. Have one that includes enough rest, sleep, healthy eating and regular physical activity. You’ll be glad you did at the end of it all.
6. Stay connected with friends and family. You can also keep a journal. Sometimes, we prefer expressing our words on paper to make us feel better. Being in good company relieves you of your stress and worries and as a student, don’t be a lone ranger. Sometimes it’s hard to talk to people especially of you’re an introvert. Just try. You also don’t need multiple friends to help you feel better so spend good time with the few you have and engage in healthy and positive conversations.
7. Adopt a positive attitude. It all starts from YOU. It’s not enough you have all the motivational books and podcasts on mental health. Your mindset has to change first. Don’t dwell on your problems but rather, look at the bright side of everything. Change is inevitable. Try to accept changes as they occur. Don’t be too pressured. Relax. Everything will be fine.
Our health is important and everyone deserves to be mentally healthy.
Everyone is responsible
When you notice someone around you who hardly smiles or always seem to have it ‘not all figured out yet’ , don’t walk past the person or ignore. Some people just need to be heard and that’s enough relief. Be willing to listen and in the little way you can, show them love and care. Support and encourage them to go for counseling or visit a therapist if needs be.
Mental awareness should be an everyday thing. Create awareness today, everyday.. until the world hears (and yes I said the world). It’s not just my responsibility. You’re responsible too.
Lydia Ogualiri
400LB
Member of SCOPUB, FAMSA.
