The topic of student mental health continues to gain attention. In today’s society, where there is ubiquitous competition in both the workplace and school, the level of stress keeps growing and accumulating. Taking care of your mental health is becoming more important and necessary than ever before. In this post, I will introduce some mental health resources and tips for maintaining a good mental health.
Step 1: Stress-Management & Self-care
Stress is one of the causal factors of several mental health problems, including depression and anxiety. Wherever possible, try to reduce or manage the stress you are experiencing. One step could be to give yourself a break and, more importantly, understand that IT IS OKAY TO TAKE A BREAK. Treat yourself; you have done a wonderful job keeping up with the hard work, and now you deserve a break and relaxation. Throw that busy schedule out of your mind for a moment and enjoy the present. Take some time to appreciate yourself and your life.
Step 2: Get Enough Sleep
An important strategy in maintaining good mental health is getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep can cause irritability and increase stress. Long-term deprivation of sleep can have even more harmful effects. Sleep is crucial to your physical health as well your mental health. Lack of sleep can harm your short- and long-term memory and cause concentration problems. It is okay to stay up late occasionally, but it may not be wise to do so for a consistent period of time. So, starting tonight, try to go to bed a bit earlier and get a full 7-8 hours of sleep. You will feel the difference the second you open your eyes in the morning.
Step 3: Share Your Thoughts
If you want to talk to someone that is not your friends or family, consider connecting with your school’s counselling services or calling a helpline. Good2talk is available 24/7 for students across Ontario. You can share your stress or anxiety of any kind with the trained counsellors. Or, if you simply need someone to talk to, they are always available and they are always there to help. Their support services range from academic-related stress to relationship challenges to mental health-related concerns — meaning you can call them and share your concerns about almost anything. So, if there is anything you want to share and do not feel comfortable sharing it with people you know, helplines are always an available option. If you think you need profession guidance or medical help, do not hesitate to contact your family doctor, psychotherapist, or psychiatrist for resources and professional advice. If you or someone you know is in crisis or at imminent risk of suicide, please call 911 immediately. There are always people and supports available to you or others going through stressful and difficult times.
Maintaining good mental health is crucial for healthy and happy living. I hope the tips above are helpful to you, and don’t forget to share the tips with your friends as well!