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The importance of mental health
Mental health is an aspect of our lives that can affect how we feel, look, and socialize with one another. For example, an individual who is feeling stressed may be less likely to engage in small talk. I am not sure about you all, but I know that my mental health shows with each outfit I wear. If I am feeling a little stressed out, the outfit will consist of a pair of sweats and a beanie. However, if I wake up feeling joyful, I may put on my finest sweater and a pair of jeans. This is absolutely not the case for everyone because people show their mental health in different ways. A person who is feeling sad may not cry in front of you. A person who is feeling happy may not show their pearly whites with a smile all day. There are also individuals who do not show any feelings at all. What truly matters is how you are feeling on the inside and learning about how you can care for your mental health.
Identify mental health issues
There is absolutely nothing wrong with having mental health issues. More than one in five adults have a mental health condition. Many college students have expressed the mental health concerns and conditions they’ve developed. Stress, anxiety, and depression are common among college students, all of which can be caused by busy schedules, financial issues, and increased responsibilities such as paying rent or meeting deadlines. An anonymous student at Black Hawk College says that she has experienced stress and loneliness after moving out of her family home. There are distinguishable signs to identify if a college student is struggling and may need mental health support. Those signs can be social withdrawal, excessive worry or hopelessness, and difficulty concentrating. If you or an individual you know are experiencing these signs, there are ways to improve those mental health issues. But I want to say that you are not alone and that you do not have to completely solve or get rid of a mental health condition. There are mental health professionals who can help support someone struggling to improve their mental health.
Mental health support @ BHC
Mental health specialists suggest several ways that an individual can take steps to improve their mental health. The first thing that may come to mind is therapy, and that can be a great way to improve mental health. There are also ways that mental health can help improve physical health as well. Mind and body go hand and hand when it comes to health. Exercising, sleeping, staying hydrated, and having a healthy diet can all improve the condition of the mind. On campus, we have a fitness center and free yoga classes that all students have access to. For mental health resources on campus, we have our licensed counselor Wendy Bock, peer mentors trained to provide mental health support, and Timely Care. Every BHC student has six free sessions or visits with Wendy Bock, which can be done in person or online by zoom call (for more information, see the end of the page). The Timely Care resource can be accessed through website and app form. Some of the features students have access to include six free sessions with a mental health specialist, scheduled counseling, scheduled medical care, access to a peer community, and TalkNow. Students can use the website or app version of TalkNow to speak with a mental health professional 24/7 for free. The Gray Matters Collective is a student club organization at Black Hawk College that has discussions and activities to help educate students about mental health issues and ways to improve them.
Tips for good mental health
Every age, race, and gender are affected by mental health issues in this society. Mental health issues do not discriminate and do not solve themselves. It is important to identify any mental health issues that may be negatively affecting your life. Good mental health quality can lead to better physical and life quality in general. Mental health and self-care days are a necessity to help manage mental health. Active steps to help support good mental health include:
- Taking care of your physical health, managing your time, and staying involved can be very useful to mental health.
- Staying involved in college clubs and community groups can help to socially connect with others.
- Good time management between personal and work-related tasks can help an individual experience less stress.
- Saying no when needed.
It is okay to say no to the family member or friend who asks you to hang out when you have work to do. It is okay to let that coworker or employer know that you have taken on too many tasks and are not able to add more on and get them done effectively. Having good mental health can lead to positive conditions in every other aspect of an individual’s life. Remember, communication is everything in the topic of mental health.
TimelyCare:
Students can log in for free using their BHC student email address.
Wendy Bock:
309-796-5198
bockw@bhc.edu
Counseling Department:
309-796-5199
AFTER HOURS EMERGENCIES
Robert Young Center: 309-779-2031
24-hour Crisis Intervention: 309-779-2999
PHYSICAL SAFETY EMERGENCIES
BHC Police Department:
309-796-5911
Call 911
If calling from an on-campus phone, dial 5-911
Sources:
“Tested: College Students and Mental Health.” Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, 16 Sept. 2024, health.clevelandclinic.org/mental-health-in-college-students.
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