Today, we are living in a world where many people are vulnerable. Lots of people are dealing with grief, losses, and anxiety over the world around them. We can all agree that 2020 made many of us realize that life is too precious and to love the people around us. In other cases, many people finally hit the brakes in their life, and the isolation took their mental health to a whole different level, myself included. It is tough to grasp why you are struggling. It can take months to understand, and it takes so much courage to reach out and finally get help. So, why do we need to be a bit more sensitive? Let me explain.
Anxiety is widespread in college students across America. Especially this past year, students are dealing with residence hall restrictions, little ways to get involved on campus, and have lost motivation to do school work. Right now, the conditions of the world are not ideal for somebody who is trying to enjoy their time as a college student.
People who struggle with their mental health can experience challenging physical and emotional symptoms that can sometimes be very hard to deal with. Experiencing racing hearts, shaking, difficulty breathing, tightness in the throat, sweating, and chills, are only some of the symptoms that people with anxiety face. “Anxiety is the most mentally draining thing” is something that I heard from a friend who is faced with anxiety. Sometimes, people can even experience hypersensitivity, mental fog, restless nights, and low energy. All of these things can happen to somebody with anxiety, and you would never even know it. Even if you know somebody with anxiety, you do not understand how physically and mentally draining it is to those who have it. It is so important to reach out to those who are struggling. It makes such a big difference to have somebody who cares and to know that you are not alone.
Whether you are a sibling, parent, or friend of somebody struggling with their mental health, there are so many ways to be supportive in a time of need. Sometimes, there is no explanation for why a person feels a certain way. They can get anxious, have panic attacks, and they are simply just trying to do their best to stay healthy and get through the day. Sometimes, all a person needs to hear is “I’m proud of you,” “Can I do anything for you,” and encouraging words to make them feel loved. Check in on those around you, make sure that they are doing okay. We need to be more sensitive to those struggling with their mental health because it is tough to talk about. Allow them to be able to vent about their emotions and offer helpful advice.
To those who are struggling, you are not alone. There are so many people in the world right now who feel the same way you are. But you need to know that the world will get better. You will get the college experience you’ve been wanting, you will be able to hug and kiss the people around you again, and you will be happy again. Imagine the feeling of finally being able to walk into a grocery store without a mask on and how magical and beautiful life around you is going to look. The simple things in life that we all used to take for granted will become tremendous blessings around us every day. From all of this, we will look at the world in a more grateful and hopeful way for the rest of our lives. Try not to isolate yourself, get outside, and breathe. And know how proud I am of you. You are strong. You are worthy. This storm will pass.