I have suffered from seasonal depression most of my life. For me, it starts after the excitement of December’s celebrations has passed, January has arrived, and the cold weather doesn’t feel as magical as it once did. So even though we’re more than halfway through this semester, it’s been especially difficult for my mental health. Part of this is due to a rigorous class and work schedule, and part of it is due to severe vitamin D deficiency.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to see some silver linings. Unlike the constant year-round depression that others have to endure, the emotional turmoil I have to endure is limited to certain seasons. This realization does not diminish the validity of my own struggle, but it does help me find solace in knowing that my challenges are only temporary. For people who have struggled with depression for a long time, especially students, this relief often does not come. In light of this, the University of Michigan needs to increase mental health awareness and provide accessible services to students.
As I researched how universities provide resources for people dealing with mental health issues, I learned about university counseling and psychological services that provide information and care to students struggling with mental health issues. Although CAPS works tirelessly to provide a safe and welcoming environment for students on campus, a lack of funding has limited our ability to provide support to our students, so CAPS has asked university administrators to We continue to seek change.
While many demands for competitive salaries remain unanswered by the administration, it is abundantly clear that the mental well-being of students is not a top priority as universities fail to come to terms with an unrelenting crisis. .
This indifference to evolving issues is dangerous in the face of facts. Depression and suicide rates are increasing at an alarming rate and show no signs of slowing down any time soon. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mortality rates from self-inflicted injuries are at an all-time high, especially among students.
Given this recent surge, it is critical for universities to strengthen access to mental health services. The university hosts events for students to relax and provides mental health resources, which I only learned about from a few people who provided me with syllabus information at the beginning of the semester. professors, most of which are never referenced again. However, students facing challenges may lack the energy or interest to find help on their own. They may also internalize negative stigmas surrounding mental health, deterring them from seeking help. These resources and events should be readily available on campus to normalize mental health awareness.
This information must always be in front of us and pushed relentlessly. This is the same way mental health issues have a lasting impact on students. The Wolverine Support Network is an on-campus student organization that strives to do just that. We facilitate resources and peer-led support groups that work to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and embrace our motto: “Life Happens.”
In an interview with The Michigan Daily, WSN executive director and engineering senior Sarah Skaggs talked about how the university can better support students across campus.
“I urge the university to continue to focus and dedicate resources to improving the well-being of our students in a timely manner,” Skaggs said.
It is extremely beneficial to create a support system within your university for students who are facing similar concerns. But these kinds of student-run networks make it seem like universities are taking their advocacy work more seriously than ever before. Universities need to recognize and place greater emphasis on their responsibility to provide student bodies with not only resources but also a more comprehensive and inclusive support system.
The mental health crisis is not unique to the University of Michigan; universities across the country are suffering as well. But the University of California system has already taken steps toward reform. The UC system has launched various campaigns to provide a safe environment for students, including “Each Mind Matters,” “Know the Signs,” and “#SaySomething.” These approaches to raising mental health awareness reduce stigma and normalize getting help as a positive thing, rather than admitting weakness. As these approaches continue to evolve, it’s almost comical that universities, which continue to face backlash over and over again for their commitment to mental health, or lack thereof, still haven’t taken the time to raise mental health awareness. That’s right.
Making mental health resources “accessible” requires more than just a weekly email to Student Life about “relaxation” activities at recreational facilities or short-term group counseling offered weekly by CAPS. there is no. Accessibility means affordability, physical ease of use, and cultural competency, all of which have been severely neglected. As our society adapts, forms of treatment will change as well. Universities should leverage their resources to launch new and innovative mental health initiatives, such as apps that provide virtual support and counseling, events with service animals, and mental health first aid training.
This type of training is especially essential for students embarking on a new academic journey. The Community Matters Curriculum is a required online course for all UM students that discusses topics related to substance abuse, sexual assault, and overall well-being. Anyone who has actually taken this course knows that “happiness” is only tacked on at the end and briefly mentioned in the list of resources. Even if there is initiative, it is not enough.
Community Matters has the exact platform needed to provide students with information on how to help themselves and others. These modules include training on how to recognize the signs of mental health issues, how to provide support to others, and ultimately how to break down the stigma so that individuals feel comfortable getting help for themselves. must be included. This could look like an interactive workshop focusing on awareness, positivity, empathy and effective communication as ways to optimize support. By using real-life scenarios within training, Community Matters is able to increase student engagement and foster an inclusive environment that prioritizes accessible support.
Mental health is important to people around the world, but especially to our community here in Ann Arbor, and we need to work together to break down the stigma surrounding it. To university administrators: Students want change. This semester should finally make us listen.
Angelina Akouri is an opinion columnist who studies English and political science. She writes about the influence of pop culture on students. Contact her at akouria@umich.edu.
