With this month being Suicide Prevention Month, it is important to always take care of your mental health. Life can get tough; often, things can go wrong with school, drama with friends, or situations with our families. The battles of life are constant, but we must remember to take care of ourselves before all else.

Taking breaks between studying or work is fundamental to keeping our minds safe. Breaks are good for your health, allowing your mind to be less consumed by the day’s business.

Life is heavy, and it’s easy to get lost in bills to pay, tests to study for, and even friends to hang out with. As humans, our attention is constantly pulled in so many directions.

Regular rest and breaks are essential, because your brain and body aren’t designed for continuous, high-intensity focus. Taking regular breaks during the workday can help people maintain their well-being.

Prioritizing mental health helps students stay enrolled in school, helping students stay both physically and emotionally grounded in college.

College brings about heavy workloads, introduces new social settings, and causes major life changes for many young adults. National surveys show that over 60% of college students face anxiety or mental health challenges, and many consider leaving school due to emotional stress 

When students in college prioritize the state of their mental health, they perform better in the classroom, focus better, and are more likely to stay in school and graduate.

Universities utilize various interventions to address student mental health and suicide prevention. Prioritizing mental health in college during Suicide Prevention Month, observed every September, means breaking down stigma, recognizing warning signs, and connecting yourself or peers to vital campus and online national resources. 

The easiest way to solve mental health issues is to address the problem at its root and support those with the resources needed. 

Therapy is a valuable resource that can also improve mental health, with psychotherapy helping lower anxiety, depression, and the impact of trauma. In addition, therapy teaches you how to handle stress, navigate negative thoughts, and communicate while managing emotions.

One good way to improve mental health is to do things you love. This could be playing video games, watching a TV show, working out, or hanging out with friends. Taking time to do what you love not only keeps your mind off life’s troubles, but also keeps you engaged with life’s ultimate purpose: living your best while having fun. 

Identifying personal values can help people make choices aligned with what matters most to them. Every person is worth so much more than our jobs, the money we have, or the passive troubles of the day; our life is to be a vessel and a lot to as many people as possible. Before anyone can care for someone else, they have to care for themselves first.

As students, we should check on each other and help one another when needed. Arkansas State is a campus of community and inclusion. If you’re having issues, talk to your peers or someone on staff, or schedule an appointment at the Wilson Counseling Center by calling (870) 972-2318 or emailing counseling@AState.edu.

Categories: Life