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Coping with mental health in college ANNA FLANDERS Staff Writer
Between classes, new relationships, a new city, work schedules and campus involvement, college can be an extremely trying time for students, especially when it comes to mental health. According to Active Minds, 39 percent of college students experience a significant mental health problem. When transitioning to life as a college student, it’s important to be educated about mental health coping mechanisms as well as the available campus resources. “There’s a lot of changes happening, and the support systems that [freshmen] have had for so long aren’t as prevalent in their lives or they don’t have them as much,” said Nicole Goodman, a junior majoring in English teaching with minors in mental health and TESOL. “Then, as they’re trying to adjust and figure things out, they kind of have [anxiety and depression].” Goodman says she commonly witnesses anxiety and depression among her peers and her residents through her job as a resident assistant
TRADITIONS
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Get help from friends. I’ve made so many lifelong best friends at UNI, and each of them have made a guest appearance in my Traditions Challenge collection. I’d like to give a special shoutout to my best friend Breeana DeVos, who embarked on wacky journeys with me to get photos during our senior year. Together, we hopped into a Northern Iowa Student Government (NISG) meeting to make a student announcement, which typically happens during the first 10 minutes of their meetings. We announced that we needed a photo with them, which we got before running off to avoid a parking ticket. I definitely couldn’t have done that alone.NISG meetings are Wednesdays at 8 p.m. if you would like to plan a photo-anddash, too. Which leads me to my final suggestion…
(RA). She believes that finding a strong support system early on and utilizing it often is one of the best ways college students can help their mental health. “It’s different from person to person to find those support systems,” Goodman said. “What I’ve done with my residents is just sit down and kind of evaluate, like, who is important in your life? And we just kind of have a conversation, create lists, and most of the time they’re support systems they already have; they just haven’t thought about them in that way.” Sarah Rasing is another UNI RA with a passion for mental health. She personally recommends creating routine as a way of maintaining good mental health. She thinks it’s important for students to make sure they are on a consistent sleep cycle and schedule time to relax in the midst of their hectic schedules. “Stay away from those negative coping mechanisms,” said Rasing, a junior majoring in English with a mental health minor. “Take a look at how you’re eating, what you’re eating. Make sure that you’re eating
Let it happen. For all the Traditions you’ll make your own, I think they’ll come naturally from spending time on campus or with your new UNI friends. One of my favorite photos simply depicts my friends and I hanging out in Lawther Field. It was a uniquely UNI experience and a great memory to document. In many ways, the Traditions Challenge can push you to try new things you might not have otherwise. Ultimately, the process of collecting images of events, people and places from your UNI experience creates a time capsule for these years. To quote one of my favorite shows “The Office,” “I wish there was a way to know you’re in ‘the good old days’ before you’ve actually left them.” I’m sure college won’t be the only peak of your life, but while you’re here, try and appreciate these soon-to-be “good old days.” It’ll never be quite the same again.
SOFIA LEGASPI/Northern Iowan
UNI offers several resources for students concerned about mental health, including the Counseling Center, wellness coaching and student organizations such as Active Minds and To Write Love on Her Arms.
properly and stay away from drinking. Especially if you are under 21, that’s just not allowed. But if you’re over 21 and you’re really struggling, stay away from drinking. Try that.” Both Goodman and Rasing strongly recommend the UNI Counseling Center, which is located inside the Student Health Center.
Counseling sessions are free to all students, as the service is included in the Mandatory Health Fee. While the center is open, there is a counselor on call for walk-ins. When the center is closed, students can call the after-hours crisis line at (319) 273-2676. The Statewide Crisis Line is 1-800-332-4224, and the
LEZIGA BARIKOR/Northern Iowan
See HEALTH, page 12
Happy Trails
al u n An h t 44
Cedar Falls Iowa
www.sturgisfalls.org
Leziga Barikor (left) with her friends Breanna DeVos (middle) and Kaycee Miller (right) at a football game.
National Suicide Hotline is 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-7842433). The Counseling Center was the first step Rasing took toward improving her mental health. Before coming to UNI, she admits she was very uninformed about mental health.
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