Mental health issues are a current growing concern with youths and young adults. The National Alliance on Mental Illness says that millions of people are affected by mental illnesses every year. One in five US adults experience mental illness and 16.5% of youths aged 6 to 17 years experience a mental health disorder.
Albright College sophomore psychology student Christina Farris is no stranger to mental illness. Her interest and knowledge of mental health issues comes from her own experience with anxiety. She explained that she realized she might have anxiety when she was around 12 years old, but did not go and see a specialist until she was 15 years old.
Farris explained that she first wanted to emphasize that there is nothing wrong with having mental health issues. Everyone can experience some form of depression, anxiety, worry and stress. She says that if it becomes too much, one should definitely seek professional help, and that there are self coping mechanisms as well.
“You didn’t choose to have mental health issues. Everyone can experience some form of depression, some form of anxiety, some form of worry, stress. It’s when it becomes too much that you should seek help. You can still find ways to cope and ways to help yourself. Exercise, healthy eating, yoga, meditation, whatever it is that helps you relax and helps you feel good can better your mental health. Mental health is just as important as physical health and the longer you neglected it, the worse it will get and trust me you do not want it to get worse.”
School is definitely a stressor of mental health, says Farris. She understands the struggles that college students face, from lack of sleep to excessive amounts of stress to relationship issues. She recommends that students make their mental health a priority. If your school has a health center and related resources, you should take advantage of them because they can give the best advice, she says.
Farris says that students should definitely look for changes in mood and see how different things can affect their moods. That is the first sign of a mental health issue. The second, but equally important sign, is changes in behavior, she explains. Farris said that each person knows themselves better than anyone else, so they will be able to realize that something is wrong.
“No one knows you better than you know yourself. Pay attention to how your moods change and how different things affect your moods. If you find that you’re eating less or eating more or if you’re sleeping less or sleeping more, those are definitely telltale signs that you should talk to someone. If your mind is constantly racing and you’re jittery or you can’t think straight or you can’t focus that’s definitely some telltale signs of anxiety. If you’re easily triggered or stressed by even the smallest things; definitely signs of depression and anxiety. If you’re feeling extremely overwhelmed definitely talk to someone about that.”
Farris explained that mental health issues are becoming a “trend” on social media. Mental illness is a serious topic; not something you can wear and take off, she said. She wants to make sure that those who need assistance are getting it and are not afraid, or ashamed, to get the help they need.
Farris’s interest in psychology stemmed from the years in between those years. She said that during that time, she kept on looking into anxiety and mental health issues and different self-help methods. It was when Farris went into therapy at 16 years old that she saw psychology as a passion and serious career path. The way the doctors worked with her and others made her want to do the same for those struggling with mental illness.
Deborah Afolabi 