Promoting Mental Health Wellbeing in University Life: Expert Tips & Resources

 Mental health wellbeing in university life

• What is Mental Health
  

Striking a balance in all aspects of life (social, physical, spiritual, economic and mental) is called as Mental Health. Reaching a balance is a learning process.

             (Karen Bellenir, Mental Health Information for Teens. 3rd Edition)

Mental health can be thought of as successful mental functioning that results in productive activities, fulfilling relationship and the ability to cope with change and adversity.

Mental health is indispensable to effective personal functioning, interpersonal and family relationships and community life. 

(ALEXANDRA CUNNINGHAM, MELISSA A. MARIANI, MINDY PARSONS, STEVEN R. VENSEL. Mental Health and Mental Disorders. Volume 1: A-E. An Encyclopedia of conditions, Treatments and Well-Being) 

• Introduction

Mental health wellbeing is a critical aspect of an individual’s overall wellbeing. It affects academic performance, social relationships and overall quality of life.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health well-being refers to a state of Well-being in which an individual realizes their abilities can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to their community. It also includes emotional and psychological well-being, the ability to manage one’s thoughts and feelings, and the ability to form positive relationships with others. WHO recognize that mental health is an integral part of overall health and well-being.

Mental health is essential to our overall well-being and as important as physical health. When we feel mentally well, we can work productively, enjoy our free time and contribute actively to our communities.

• Importance of mental health wellbeing in university life 

Mental health is crucial aspect of overall well-being, and it is particularly important in university life. University students face a range of challenges that can impact their mental health including academic pressure, financial stress, social isolation and the transition to adulthood. Poor mental health can lead to a range of negative outcomes including decreased academic performance, social withdrawal and even. suicide.

University students who have mental health problems can affect their studies and social in various ways, such as anxiety, depression, panic disorder, struggle to concentrate on their studies.

By prioritizing mental health and wellbeing in university life, it can help students academically, socially and emotionally. This can have a positive impact on full of community and society not only in individual life. 

•  Improve the mental health wellbeing as a university student.

1. Depression and stress 

To promote mental health and wellbeing in university students, it’s important to provide resources and support for students. This can include counselling service or mentoring program and teaching stress management techniques.

There are two ways to deal with stressors: in a positive or adaptive and negative or maladaptive ways.

In adaptive way dealing with stressor effectively. Examples of adaptive ways are,

• Talking to parents or friends 
• Exercise/ sports 
• Meditation/ Yoga
• Reading 
• Listening to music
• Hobbies
• Praying/ religious activities

Negative or maladaptive is ineffectively responding to stress, which often results in harm to oneself or others. Examples for maladaptive ways are,

• Smoking 
• Spending time alone
• Avoiding problems 
• Eating comfort foods
• Physical fight 

2. Anxiety and panic disorder

Students who have anxiety problems its very big problems in their studies, such as group works, discussions and presentations. Most students feel anxious about something for a short time, but students with anxiety disorder feel this way most of the time. Their fears and worries make hard for them every tasks. It's about one kind of anxiety disorder called panic disorder.

Symptoms of panic disorder are,

• A feeling of being out of control during a panic attack 
• A feeling that things are not real. 
• Sudden and repeated attacks of fear

Panic attacks are characterized by a fear of certain disaster or a fear of losing control                     (Institute of mental health,2008) 

Panic disorder is the most treatable anxiety disorder. First person should visit the doctor or health care provider to discuss the symptoms or feeling he or she have. It is helpful guide to doctor. The doctor may make referral to a specialist such as psychiatrist, psychologist.

Medication can help reduce the severity and frequency of panic disorder, but they may take several weeks to start working.

3. Financial problem 

Financial stress is another most problem for university students. Many students have to work part time jobs to support themselves. It is lead to stress and fatigue. Also, this major problems in time management in academic studies. Students who have financial issue can take interest free study loan to complete their studies. It can help them to save their time and decrease the stress. 

• Conclusion

According to a report by the national institute of mental health (NIMH), highlight that mental illnesses can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life, including their ability to work, socialize and maintain relationships. Research has shown that there are several factors that can contribute to mental health wellbeing, including access to healthcare, social support and healthy lifestyle choices such as regular exercise and a balance diet.

Therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to be effective in improving mental health outcomes. Many individuals do not receive the care they need due to lack of access to care, or other barriers. This highlights the importance of increasing awareness and reducing stigma surrounding mental health issue as well as improving access to care for those who need it.

• Reference

1) Karen Bellenir, Mental Health Information for Teens. 3rd Edition.

2) ALEXANDRA CUNNINGHAM, MELISSA A. MARIANI, MINDY PARSONS, STEVEN R. VENSEL. Mental Health and Mental Disorders. Volume 1: A-E. An Encyclopedia of conditions, Treatments and Well-Being.

3) Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, 2nd Edition, American nurses’ association. Silver spring, Maryland. 2014. 

4) American College Health Association. (2021). American College Health AssociationNational College Health Assessment II: Undergraduate Student Reference Group Executive Summary Fall 2020. Hanover, MD: American College Health Association.

 5) Eisenberg, D., Hunt, J., & Speer, N . (2013). Mental health in American colleges and universities: Variation across student subgroups and across campuses. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 201(1), 60-67.

6) Eisenberg, D., Golberstein, E., & Gollust, S. E. (2007). Help-seeking and access to mental health care in a university student population. Medical Care, 45(7), 594-601.

7) Reavley, N. J., & Jorm, A. F. (2011). Recognition of mental disorders and beliefs about treatment and confidentiality: Results from a national survey of Australian youth. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 45(11), 947-956. 

8) National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). Mental Health Information. Retrieved from 
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/index.shtml.

9) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/index.html. 

10) World Health Organization. (2021). Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/mental-health#tab=tab_1. 

11) Healthline. (2021). Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health. 

12) Mayo Clinic. (2021). Mental Health. Retrieved from 
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mental-health-landing-page.