I’m not going to lie, my mental health made completing this blog post pretty difficult. At the tail end of spring break, I began to feel congested, and my throat ached. For the next week, my days were full of cough medicine and endless tissues.  

When you don’t feel your best physically, it’s hard to thrive mentally. Rotting in bed day after day was certainly the rest my body needed, but it can be detrimental to our mental health.  

People throw those words around a lot: mental health. But what does mental health truly mean? What does it mean to pay attention to the state of your emotions and mind and how it affects you? 

Although it may sound daunting, caring for your mental health is not as complicated as it may seem. You do not have to make major life changes to better your mental and emotional state. In fact, small, consistent actions are easier to adopt and make a huge difference over time.  

Caring for your mental health is caring for you. It is an act of self-love to treat your mind and body with the kindness, grace, and diligence that everyone deserves.  

Our generation seems to struggle with maintaining good mental health more than previous ones, perhaps due to our heightened awareness of it or the intense effect of social and digital media on us. Either way, we must be diligent about our mental health since one of the leading causes of death among college students is suicide. I’m sure each of you know many people who suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress just as I do. Depression and anxiety can be caused by a mix of genetic, environmental, psychological factors, or chemical imbalances. It can also be brought on or intensified by major life changes or traumatic events, and it can impact anyone. 

During depressive episodes or high anxiety moments, tasks like brushing your teeth, getting out of bed, or just taking a deep breath can seem impossible. But even though these tasks can feel like a chore when your mental health is at a low, they truly make a difference in your physical and mental wellbeing.  

My mother always told me that if you did your best, then you did all you could do. Maybe today, your best is that you were able to get out of bed, get ready, and attend class. When you take off the pressure of being perfect or having everything together, you are free to celebrate and enjoy each action you take for yourself.  

So, listen to your body. Your physical health is greatly tied to your mental state, as illustrated by the melancholy I felt when I was sick for a week. Do not underestimate the importance of making nutritious choices, getting regular exercise, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule.  

Also, take advantage of moments where you can practice mindfulness and self-care. You have a few extra minutes before class? Get a drink of water and set aside a moment to take deep breaths and encourage yourself. Our perspective impacts our mood and adopting a sense of positivity and reminding yourself of what truly matters can transform your day. Of course, this is easier said than done, but our minds are truly powerful and perception matters! 

When mental health worsens, however, it can become too much for one person to handle. So, know that it is okay, and even better, to ask for help.  If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unwell, don’t hesitate to seek help from the Thrive Counseling Center or one of our qualified medical professionals. There’s no shame in needing support, whether it’s for physical or mental health. Sometimes you may need more support and guidance than friends can provide, which is why counseling can be such a valuable resource. 

There are also so many resources available online for caring for your mental health. If you’re unsure how to talk to your healthcare provider about your mental health, the National Institute of Mental Health has a helpful article here.  

Lastly, there is strength in numbers, and if you struggle with mental health, you are far from alone. Your friends, roommates, peers, and professors all care about you and your wellbeing, so lean into a good support system.

One way to do so is to participate in the Out of the Darkness Walk at AU on April 5th partnering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. AFSP describes the Out of the Darkness Walks as “journeys of remembrance and events that unite a community—a time to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental illness have affected our lives and our loved ones.” This is our aim for AU’s Out of the Darkness Walk—to let our students and community members build genuine, deep community and connection with one another.

Join Thrive and student walk chair Kayleigh Mick at the student center at 9:00 am on April 5th for a free breakfast, resource fair, and a performance from the SC School of the Arts. The walk will be approximately 1.5 miles around campus, so it is a perfect opportunity for some exercise! 

It is hard to feel like a qualified person to give mental health advice as someone who has struggled with depression and anxiety and feels like they don’t have the answers. But while I cannot guarantee that my advice will cure all mental illness, I can guarantee that you are loved, known, and worthy in the eyes of God and all of us at AU. So, take care of yourself and others. You may never know what a smile and a kind word can mean. 

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Register for the Anderson University Out of the Darkness Campus Walk here. 

If you or someone you know needs support and help with mental health, the 988 helpline is a valuable resource that is available 24/7. For additional resources, see the AFSP site here.  

“Wellness Wednesdays” is a Trojan Talks blog series in collaboration with the team at Thrive Wellness Center. Each month, we explore a topic regarding mental and/or physical health and advise students on ways to maintain their well-being and health.