Mental Health: Signs That You’re Slipping and How to Get Help
2020 has been one of the most draining years that I’ve experienced in my life. Staying on top of my mental health has been extremely difficult. I had a lot of expectations for this year and a lot of hopes about what it would bring. NOTHING could have prepared me for what has happened—except maybe a vaccine.
A lot of students like me have been trying to manage stress. While I’m lucky enough to be able to tell when I’m not properly taking care of myself (sometimes), some people may not notice and will continue to work themselves to their breaking point.
– Areiana Edwards
With all of the twists and turns that 2020 threw in, I’ve been struggling to keep up. Living my life on repeat in quarantine hasn’t been helping. Stress from school, quarantine, the election, and just everyday life has been weighing on me heavily these past few months. Some days, I don’t want to leave my bed. Other days, I’ll be on social media for hours, mindlessly scrolling. A lot of days, I don’t feel like doing my school work or talking to my friends or even doing things that I enjoy. Days like those are when I need a break the most for my mental health.
When I need that break, I take time to do things that I’d been neglecting. I do them slowly, at my own pace. I’ll take my time with my laundry and work as slowly as I need through homework I’d been procrastinating to do. I try to be kind to myself, and acknowledge that I need to give myself enough time for an adequate break. Though I try my best to take these breaks, sometimes I don’t get to and instead succumb to stress.
A lot of students like me have been trying to manage stress. While I’m lucky enough to be able to tell when I’m not properly taking care of myself (sometimes), some people may not notice and will continue to unknowingly work themselves to their breaking point. I contacted Counseling Services about this—more specifically, about signs that a person should seek some help and the process for doing so. I did a short Q&A with Dr. Amy Henning, director of Counseling Services, for this question and a few others.
What are some signs that a person should seek help?
AH: Seeking counseling can be beneficial for everyone at any time when you are looking for a supportive, objective ear. However, when an individual is noticing signs/symptoms of behavior that are unusual or different from their “normal” daily functioning—such as low mood, increased anxiety/stress, difficulty with concentration and focus, trouble with eating and/or sleeping, etc.—this could be an indicator that “something’s not right” and a good time to seek out professional support.
What process should a person at Arcadia follow when seeking help?
Counseling Services can be reached at 215 572-2967 or counselingservices@arcadia.edu. Students should call or email us and will be asked to complete a brief screening over the phone. After that, they will be set up for an initial triage appointment to determine what their current needs are and to discuss next steps for counseling. We are open Monday through Friday, 8 to 5 p.m., and offer same-day appointments for all students if desired.
Has there been an increase in the number of students contacting Counseling Services?
While we know due to COVID there has been an increase in mental health concerns, particularly within the college-aged population, many are not as inclined to reach out for help due to being at home, concerns about privacy issues, and feeling less inclined to participate in therapy over Zoom or over the phone. Counseling Services has been steadily busy over the fall semester, with our numbers increasing over the course of the semester.
What are some common issues that students have been presenting?
The most common issues are depression, anxiety, academic stress, and now the impact that COVID has had on their academic performance and motivation, social isolation, family concerns, and difficulty sustaining remote learning.
Is there any helpful mental health-related information that people should be aware of?
Our website has a wealth of information and resources for students, including helpful apps, articles, links, and a virtual relaxation room! I would also recommend that if any student is feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and having difficulty managing life right now, they should give us a call and check us out. We are also offering extended same-day appointments, destress weeks, and a monthly newsletter.
