Abigail He is a student at Jakarta State University in Jakarta, Indonesia, majoring in English Literature.
The transition from high school to college is easy for some people and can be very difficult for others. As a first-year college student at a new university, I was suddenly faced with a different environment and met people who were as unique as they were diverse.
We faced all kinds of new challenges and pressures from all directions. I was struggling to cope with my grades, my relationships with friends and professors, and the overload of assignments and work that needed to be completed. At times, I was able to handle the pressure. I coped by enjoying the little things in life, spending time with family and friends, hobbies, and doing the things I love.
But eventually all the pressures added up and the weight became too much to carry.
In a world as judgmental as ours, I didn't want to show any signs of weakness, and I didn't want to expose my shortcomings for fear that others would use them against me. But no matter how strong I tried to be, I just wasn't.
Mental health issues are often overlooked because the symptoms are not physically visible. No matter how good a person looks on the outside, no one knows how much pain they are suffering on the inside.
In my opinion, mental problems are more dangerous than physical problems. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, untreated mental health conditions can cause unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, wrongful incarceration, suicide, and decreased quality of life.
If you get the flu, take cough medicine. But what medicines and treatments are there if what's bothering you is a battle you're fighting within yourself? How many young people choose to take their own lives due to depression or stress?
It is such a shame that so many glorious innocent lives are lost because people were so trapped and felt that death was the only way out and felt alone. Mental health issues often cause people to become unstable and act out.
Mental health issues harm many people in the United States in many ways. In 72 of the 148 total mass shootings reported in the United States since 1982, the shooter had a mental health problem. While not everyone with mental health issues will take such drastic measures, it is important to understand that these issues can be harmful if left untreated. .
Anxiety disorders experienced by today's teens often lead to depression, self-harm, and even suicide attempts. Anxiety in teens often stems from the environment, peer pressure, high expectations from parents, and negative thought patterns. Currently, our typical solution to this problem is for those affected to undergo counseling sessions at a counseling facility to resolve their issues. Because it's important for them to talk to someone who can ease the burden they're carrying.
When I was going through a rough time and feeling stressed, I was lucky to have a friend who would sit by me, talk to me, and listen to me. It may seem trivial, but it is important for people to know that they are not alone and that there is someone to hold their hand. Because the scariest thing in this world is being alone.
Humans are social creatures. We need each other to survive. In a sense, helping someone is also helping yourself. Acts of kindness are a measure of our humanity. The world can be a cruel place, and it's cruelest to the weak. If we want to reduce suicide rates among college students, the best thing anyone can do may be to just be there to listen, offer humor, and hug those who are crying.
That saved me. Because when things get difficult and we start to feel weak, we can find strength within ourselves by the strength we get from others. We all need to take care of our mental health. There's nothing shameful about admitting that. It doesn't mean you're weak. On the contrary, it means that you are strong enough to accept your problems and face them head on.
