Right now, mental illness is at an all time high. Students are particularly vulnerable, with the added stress of academics, student loans, and social time. That’s why St. Thomas University has enlisted some extra help this year.
Lindsay Gallagher is STU’s Mental Health Champion. As part of the Mental Health Challenge, schools around Canada are hiring Positive Mental Health Champions.
“This initiative recognizes that there is a difference between mental health and mental illness, and that there are things you can do before the problem develops to help people stay as healthy as they can,” said Lindsay. “The goal is to work against the stigma that exists around mental illness.”
Lindsay has been doing different things on campus to help promote positive living and healthy lifestyles. She aims to get students talking and helping those with mental illnesses.
On Thursday nights Lindsay hosts “Girl Talk” and “Bro Talk”. Bro Talks are from 6 to 7 PM and girl talks from 7 to 8 PM. Every second week they are at Chatham Hall, to accommodate the Forest Hill residences. They are an informal talk and can lead in any direction students choose.
Lindsay says one of the biggest problems is that people with a mental illness feel ashamed, embarrassed or scared and don’t want to talk to anyone. The point of the Mental Health Challenge is to normalize mental illness so people can get help easily before a serious symptoms arise.
“There’s going to be times you can’t prevent it,” she said. “We know there are students who are homesick or don’t know anyone and hang out in their dorm all day, so if we can reach those students, maybe we can draw them out before they withdraw or get depressed or whatever may happen.”
St. Thomas was quick to jump on board with the challenge. They recognize that mental health is an issue that needs to be addressed. Lindsay says it’s been great. Because she came in to a new position, she has been able to take the initiative in her own direction.
First, she developed a student mental health committee. Made up of enthusiastic students, the committee is focused on getting other students involved and helping Lindsay engage students in the best way possible.
An initiative taken by the committee is the “Post Your Own Secret” boxes found across campus. These anonymous secrets will be posted on a board at the “We Are Not Alone” Mental Health Awareness Day this week. In addition to events throughout the day, there will be a panel of students and faculty who are dealing with mental illness and sharing their stories.
Lindsay worked in counselling and addiction support for many year. She had been living out west when she decided she needed a break from counselling. She decided to move back to her hometown of Fredericton just as STU was hiring a Mental Health Champion. Lindsay has a BA in psychology, and is currently working on her master’s degree.
Aside from the obvious stress caused by school work and money, Lindsay says there are many other contributing factors for mental distress.
“People feel a lot of pressure; ‘What am I going to do with my life? Am I going to be able to get a job? How am I going to pay back my student loans?’” she said.
Lindsay also thinks that students in university are not always as well equipped as they could be. They are not as independent as they should be, and it’s not their fault.
“They should have to figure things out themselves in middle school and high school so that they’re more prepared for university and they’re not,” she said. “They get here and they have no idea how to cope with the little things, so the little things end up being really big things.”
Luckily for students, there are resources available. There’s a counsellor here at STU, Roxanne, and students also have access to UNB counselling services.
“If people are feeling overwhelmed or stressed out or anxious or really sad or whatever the case is, reach out and talk to somebody,” she said.
Lindsay says it is important to find a balance between school, work and still having the time to do the things you enjoy. Figuring out ways to relax and have a good time is really important to keep calm. She encourages friends to help and support each other. Let friends know they can reach out and talk to somebody, because friends will notice if something’s wrong before anyone else.
“You’re not alone. [There are] a lot of students here feeling the same way, feeling overwhelmed, feeling anxious,” she said. “Don’t be ashamed, embarrassed or scared to talk, lots of people feel that way and lots of people want to help.”