Managing Mental Health

College can be a very difficult time for a student. Some students acknowledge that finding a good work-life balance can be hard.

“Cause it’s like a lot,” says Daniela Del Real, a third-year recreational therapy major. “Homework, then you have to worry about your community service, and I’m part of a multicultural sorority, and work so trying to balance all of those things has taken a toll on me.”

When students have such an impacted schedule, there’s a potential that their school work can start to suffer. 

Dr. Jesse Scaccia, a professor in the Media, Communications and Journalism department, says that he can tell when his students are struggling with their mental health.

“A mentally healthy student is a better student,” Scaccia says. “We have to make sure we’re holistically helping people to be ready to learn. Mental health is a key part of being successful academically.”

Many students are afraid of the stigma that surrounds mental health, and that leads to them not reaching out for help.

“It just takes that extra courage and steps to use those resources, and sometimes I struggle with that,” says Del Real.

Myrna Pacheco with the student health and counseling center says students have no reason to be afraid of getting help.  

“We don’t want you to struggle in silence,” Pacheco says. “We want you to get help, especially after COVID-19, everyone is struggling with something even if it’s just an adjustment or anxiety that COVID-19 caused. Everyone around you has something going on. Coming to counseling will show you that there’s nothing wrong with you because other people are struggling just like you are.”

For those who feel they are struggling, the Student Health and Counseling office is available around the clock and is available at no cost to students.

If you’re in a crisis, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 988.