College
Entering into college is an amazing experience that allows you to see and reach new horizons. New friendships are formed, new opportunities, new academia, and a new life chapter. With that, however, also comes new found stresses, new challenges, and new transition into adulthood. This, can also bring on anxiety and depression for some. In fact, the National data of healthy minds study has reported an alarming increase in anxiety in college students over the past decade. Today, according to the US Census Bureau 18 million college students suffer from anxiety and 3 out of 4 have experienced severe anxiety disorder. This is something that I too can relate to. As a freshman in college I felt the stresses that comes with maintaining straight A’s while carrying a 20 hour course load, holding two jobs, and helping support my family ...not to mention within a span of 6 months my grandparents, softball coach, and best friend all passed away. The anxiety and sense of depression arose. I remember having feelings that I hadn’t felt before and couldn’t relate to. Fortunately for me I had my mom to talk to and guide me through this season. I came out the other side and have been better and stronger because of it. Many people don’t know how to understand their feelings. Some feel shame for experiencing anxiety. Mental health is nothing to be ashamed of, it is something that we should embrace and talk about. There is no blame with anxiety or depression just like there is no blame in cancer. I believe if people would be willing to open up, talk to counselor, friend, or parent, find way to destress through exercise, meditation, or other healthy avenues we would see a decline not only in anxiety, but a rise in college successes and new horizons reached!