Students often find themselves juggling coursework, extracurricular activities, managing finances and personal commitments. While students prepare themselves to deal with external factors, it is easy for them to overlook how things start affecting them internally.
Talking about mental health and well-being is crucial for a healthy life. Here are five compelling reasons why students should prioritise talking about mental health, and know where to find help when needed.
“I want students to know that help and support is available and they don’t have to deal with their struggles alone. Please reach out to DUSA Advice and Support and University counselling services, we are here to listen.” – Bernard Aihevba, Vice President of Student Wellbeing.
1) Reducing stigma
When students openly discuss their mental health challenges, they create a supportive environment that encourages others to do the same. By sharing their experiences, they help to destigmatise mental health issues and create room for more open and empathetic conversations.
At DUSA, we started with Speakeasy – an informal support group with the same intention, providing students a place to enable conversations around mental health and well-being.
2) Prevention by early intervention
Students often face combined academic pressures and personal challenges, making them vulnerable to stress, anxiety, and depression. Talking about these concerns and seeking help can lead to timely interventions, providing valuable support to manage and overcome these difficulties.
3) Improved academic performance
When students prioritise their mental well-being, they are better equipped to handle the pressures of coursework, exams, and deadlines. Seeking help for mental health issues can lead to improved concentration and productivity. It can also help in improving overall academic performance and reduce the chance of falling into the trap of time constraints and temptation to take shortcuts which can lead to academic misconduct.
4) Building resilience
When students acknowledge their struggles and seek help, they learn valuable coping mechanisms and strategies for managing stress and anxiety. This resilience not only helps them in their academic journey but also prepares them for the challenges of life beyond graduation.
5) Access the support available
Many universities and colleges offer a range of mental health services and resources to support their students. These services often include counselling centres, crisis helplines, and peer support programs. Whether it’s through one-on-one counselling, group therapy, or crisis hotlines, there are dedicated professionals and peers ready to provide assistance.
Remember, talking about mental health and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. By doing so as students, you can not only take care of your own well-being but also contribute to creating a more supportive and empathetic campus culture. Together, we can break the stigma surrounding mental health and ensure that every student has the support they need to thrive academically and personally.
Helplines and Services for Students
DUSA Advice and Support – www.dusa.co.uk/advice
DUSA Listening group – www.dusa.co.uk/speakeasy
University of Dundee counselling service – www.dundee.ac.uk/counselling
Get help with mental health – www.dundee.ac.uk/guides/get-help-mental-health
Nightline listening service – nightline.ac.uk/
Prevention of young suicide – www.papyrus-uk.org/
Feeling Good App – www.feelinggood.app
Samaritans – https://www.samaritans.org/scotland/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Mind – https://www.mind.org.uk/
Priyanka Joshi is a web content writer and advice & support officer at DUSA.
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