When you break your leg, you will probably be placed in a cast for a few weeks to help heal it. This cast sends a message to others that you are hurt. If you have a cold, your nose is probably runny and you may have a nasty cough, both of which send a message to others that you are not feeling your best. Other illnesses have “tell-tale signs” like an obvious cast or a scratchy voice, but mental illness does not always have such clear signs. Some people that have been diagnosed with mental illnesses may seem to be happy, their life may look normal from the outside and their overall appearance is probably not different than anyone else’s. The problem lies here: mental illness does not look like a physical illness, so some people discredit it as not being a real obstacle.
Mental health stigmas seem to revolve around the idea that people who live with mental health problems, like anxiety and depression, are not going through real health problems, or that mental health is not very important at all. According to the Mental Health Commission of Western Australia, three out of four people that have experienced mental health disorders have witnessed stigmas pertaining to their disorder.
When asked her opinion on whether or not mental health is important, sophomore biology major from Russia, Elizaveta Shmakova responded passionately.
“Of course, it’s really important! For example, last year I was overwhelmed with my classes. It was really hard, therefore I had to take one semester off. I had to go back to Russia. It was hard to maintain my , to wake up at the same time every day and to do all the homework, and it really bothered me,” Shmakova said. “It was not physical; physically I was fine. I slept eight hours, I ate well, I exercised, but mentally, it was really hard for me to keep on track. I think we need to learn how to maintain our mental health and know how to do it individually.”
Shmakova went on to explain a few of the things that helped her get back on track and maintain good mental health.
“For the last six months, I had to take the semester off. I started to do yoga. It really helped me through meditation. I also became closer with my mom, and I started to talk with her about all of my problems, which helps,” Shmakova explained.
Stacey Warm, a freshman business administration major, suggests to others that they know their limits and focus on their mental health, even when it seems difficult to balance your schedule.
“I think it’s pretty easy to ignore your mental health just because if you’re really busy, you don’t focus on yourself, but I think it’s really good to sometimes just relax, work out or do things with your friends that will make you happy,” Warm said. “If you do anything and see improvement, it makes you feel better about yourself and the world around you, so just try to feel the good in everything.”
Parker Edwards, a freshman exercise science major, said that instead of stressing over what needs to get done, focus on yourself every now and then. Your school work is important, but that does not mean that your mental health is not.
“I think it’s easy to dive into all of your school work if you’re stressed out. Most people decide to just go at it and do everything they can to accomplish what they need done, but I think sometimes it’s important to just go to your happy place. Sit in your room, listen to music, go to the beach, just kind of escape from things for a bit,” Parker said.
What can society do as a whole to encourage mental health? Parker suggested a shift in expectations. Instead of focusing so much on success professionally, society should be focused on teaching people how to be successful in all aspects: professionally, psychologically and physically.
“I feel like it’s important to be successful in society, and you feel like you need to be busy all the time, but you do need time to relax. I think that should be pushed more,” Parker said. “It’s like you have to do it all and you have to have good grades, but where’s the free time, you know?”
At the end of the day, mental health is important. It affects so many aspects of a person’s life, from the way that you react to situations to the way that you handle the everyday stressors. Mental health is an on-going process. There are no quick fixes and it’s not temporary. Maintaining good mental health is a great goal to have throughout any time in your life, but it can be ever-changing. What works for you now may not work in the future, and what works for you may not be right for someone else. Mental health is such a personal thing. It’s not “one size fits all.”
The journey to good mental health may be long and tough at times, but it is so rewarding in the end. Monitoring mental health can be a daunting task, but luckily Henderson Behavioral Health is here to help guide us students that may feel overwhelmed. Mental health is not something to neglect, and nothing to be ashamed about.
To get in contact or make an appointment with Henderson Behavioral Health, call 954-424-6911 or walk into the University Park Plaza location at 3538 S. University Drive, Davie, FL 33328.
