This post is dedicated to everyone who has struggled or is struggling with mental health challenges. You are never alone, even when it can feel like it.
As the leaders and the best, it can be hard to talk about the underlying struggles that many of us experience. Unlike physical health challenges, mental health struggles are often not visible to those around us which can make it hard to reach out for help. As University of Michigan students, many of us come from high schools where we were the best students getting the top grades. Many of us have also internalized the idea that getting the best grades, internships, and opportunities come before anything else, including our own wellness.
These struggles can feel increasingly difficult in the winter. With finals, holidays, Daylight Savings, and seasonal affective disorder (aka season depression), many students can be silently struggling with everything going on. On top of this, many students are also juggling what internships or jobs they will be pursuing. With all of this pressure, the dark cold winter nights can feel like a lot. Many people struggle with their mental health but often view themselves as lazy or unmotivated. There can be reasons behind a lack of motivation and energy and this never means that you are not good enough.
Mental health challenges can make you feel extremely lonely, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. We have compiled a list of various resources and tips, both specific to Michigan and more general.
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Speaking as a senior in college, my biggest tip that I personally have learned is that it is important to discuss any struggle to complete your assignments with your professors before it can pile up. From my experience, the majority of my professors have cared more about my wellbeing than an assignment getting turned in on the exact day that it is due.
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Wolverine Support Network: This is a campus organization that is student run and intended to make campus feel less overwhelming. They have peer support groups that are intended for students of all backgrounds to be able to come together and discuss what they’re struggling with at that moment. They also have various campus events that are open to anyone who would like to attend.
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UHS: University Health Services has compiled a list of various resources that are available to students. You can find that linked here: https://uhs.umich.edu/stressresources
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Seasonal Affective Disorder: If you are wondering if you or someone you know is struggling with seasonal affective disorder, we have found a page by the National Institute of Mental Health that describes what it is and the signs that you may be struggling with it. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder