Discussions about mental health and anxiety are becoming more common among University of Mississippi students.
“University students in today’s world as a whole seem to have a significant amount of anxiety,” Kris Brasher, instructor of therapeutic recreation for the Department of Health, Exercise and Recreation Management, said. “We discuss topics like anxiety in class relatively frequently, and many of the students are quite open about feelings of anxiety, panic attacks and the sort.”
Since 2007, the Healthy Minds Study has annually examined mental health issues among undergraduate and graduate students, utilizing data from more than 530 colleges and universities, including UM. The most recent report estimates that 46% of college students have received a lifetime diagnosis of a mental health disorder.
Anxiety and stress-related disorders originating from various causes have always been present in the university setting, according to Brasher. He attributes the uptick in conversations about mental health to destigmatization.
“Today’s world is far more accepting and open to anxiety being a ‘normal’ response that is now being addressed, discussed and no longer hidden from others as often as in the past,” Brasher said.
Students such as sophomore English major Lucy Galeziewski have noticed this sentiment outside of the classroom.
“I think mental health talk is huge among students these days, especially on social media,” Galeziewski said. “From my perception, it is often a very casual conversation that happens on the internet and in social settings, which is interesting to me because by nature it is a pretty serious topic to be sharing with others so casually.”
While acknowledging the benefits of openness, Galeziewski expressed caution about too much transparency, citing a potential for the casual tone to do more harm than good.
“I don’t necessarily think that it should be more or less openly discussed, but I do think that the way that it is discussed should be considered,” Galeziewski said. “By this I mean that the conversation often becomes disingenuous among students, and it should be discussed as a serious matter.”
Senior nutrition and dietetics major Lily Langley shared a different opinion about approaching mental health conversations, encouraging students to be more open with one another.
“It should absolutely be discussed more openly,” Langley said. “I think so many students find themselves struggling with their mental health once they are in college, even if they have never struggled with it prior. It can feel very isolating at times. It is easy to feel like you are ‘crazy’ or ‘abnormal’ when you are struggling mentally when in actuality, so many people go through the same thing. The more we bring these issues into light, the less alone people feel.”
Langley also serves as the president of UM’s chapter of Active Minds, a national non-profit organization that seeks to educate college students and spread awareness about mental health issues on campus. The group has more than 100 members from different backgrounds and hosts events such as outdoor yoga and movie nights.
“Active Minds helps make students aware of the mental health resources that we have on campus,” Langley said. “We help connect students to the mental health services they may require. We also host stress-relief events to help students come together as a community to take time for themselves.”
Freshman English and creative writing double major Hanny Zermeno is a member of Active Minds.
“Issues of mental health are damaging on their own, but if they are not treated or they are disregarded, they can lead to serious physical and permanent dangers,” Zermeno said.
Speaking from personal experience about her mental health journey, Zermeno emphasized the positive impact that treatment can have.
“It can be lonely sometimes when I feel like I have no one to turn to, and I can get so lost in my head about things that it’s hard to reach out for help,” Zermeno said. “Just recently, I began going to counseling here on campus, where they offer free sessions with medical professionals and graduate students who are always so willing to listen and help anyone seeking their guidance. It has been so great to have that support from people who only want to see you heal and succeed on campus and in life.”
Like Zermeno, senior integrated marketing communications major Sarah Jane Yerger’s mental health issues stemmed from experiences before her time at the university, but they were exacerbated when she began college.
“My mental health got really bad as I began college, and during my freshman year, I struggled with an eating disorder that has altered my life in more ways than I can count,” Yerger said. “I struggled silently for a long time before seeking health towards the end of my spring semester freshman year.”
Yerger explained how she continually seeks support and advocates for others to do so if needed.
“I am in therapy once every few weeks, and I am a huge advocate for counseling,” Yerger said. “It is important to share your thoughts with someone unbiased and impartial and who will give you the very best advice.”
Yerger also encouraged others to seek solutions outside of counseling.
“Over the years, I have found methods that help me cope when my anxiety is high or I start feeling depressed,” Yerger said. “A few things I like to do to get out of my head are to go for a nice walk outside, play with my dog, watch an old Disney movie, go for a long car ride around town with the windows rolled down, color or listen to my favorite Christian playlist. These are all things that help me decompress and not be so consumed with my thoughts.”
Todd Smitherman, a professor and director of clinical training for the Department of Psychology, explained that more students are seeking treatment than ever before, citing data from the Healthy Minds Study.
“Though rates of anxiety are at all-time highs, so is the proportion of students who seek counseling or therapy for mental health problems, with 36% of students reporting seeking services while they were in college,” Smitherman said. “So there is some good news here that treatment-seeking is increasing.”
UM provides many professional services for students struggling with mental health, including the University Counseling Center, the Psychological Services Center and UMatter.
“More students are seeking support and counseling services, and the stigma previously associated with help seeking is diminishing,” Director of the University Counseling Center Juawice McCormic said. “Students are more open about seeing counselors to take care of their mental health. During this academic year, we have provided over 12,000 hours of services for our students.”
