Wellness for WU: Be Mentally Healthy
By: Maria Quinilan
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Lifestyle
Is being a college student easy, or is it one of the more stressful times in a person's life? The answer seems to be a toss-up. As an undergrad, I sometimes worked 30 or more hours a week, held internships, completed 18 hours during my last three semesters, took summer classes and kept up a high GPA.
I was living on my own and paying my own bills. I couldn't wait to get into the "real world" to work a 9 to 5 job and have my nights and weekends to relax. I was envious of the kids who lived in dorms, whose parents paid for their school and sent them boxes of food.
I bet the second scenario isn't the case for most students. Most are dealing with what I dealt with or more.
Mental health refers to "the successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people and the ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity," as defined by the Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health.
Why should we care about mental health? Because it affects everything - our physical, emotional and social health.
Patrick Stark is the director of Counseling and Life Development at Webster University which is available to assist all WU students, faculty and staff with any personal issues they might have.
"We provide emotional and psychological assistance or support for students," Stark said. "We also offer educational opportunities for self development. Students can be assured there are professionals on campus who are licensed, or working towards a license, that they can speak to in confidence."
The department can assist with problems ranging from college life adjustments to family issues to depression and much more. They also offer seminars throughout the year on topics such as stress, alcohol and drug abuse and eating disorders.
Here are some suggestions on ways to handle stress and to establish good mental health:
- Take a deep breath. When I was younger my mother used to tell me to take a big, deep breath in, hold it and then let it out when I was feeling stressed. I thought it was dumb! Now, I do it all the time and I have to admit, mom was right. It works.
I was living on my own and paying my own bills. I couldn't wait to get into the "real world" to work a 9 to 5 job and have my nights and weekends to relax. I was envious of the kids who lived in dorms, whose parents paid for their school and sent them boxes of food.
I bet the second scenario isn't the case for most students. Most are dealing with what I dealt with or more.
Mental health refers to "the successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people and the ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity," as defined by the Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health.
Why should we care about mental health? Because it affects everything - our physical, emotional and social health.
Patrick Stark is the director of Counseling and Life Development at Webster University which is available to assist all WU students, faculty and staff with any personal issues they might have.
"We provide emotional and psychological assistance or support for students," Stark said. "We also offer educational opportunities for self development. Students can be assured there are professionals on campus who are licensed, or working towards a license, that they can speak to in confidence."
The department can assist with problems ranging from college life adjustments to family issues to depression and much more. They also offer seminars throughout the year on topics such as stress, alcohol and drug abuse and eating disorders.
Here are some suggestions on ways to handle stress and to establish good mental health:
- Take a deep breath. When I was younger my mother used to tell me to take a big, deep breath in, hold it and then let it out when I was feeling stressed. I thought it was dumb! Now, I do it all the time and I have to admit, mom was right. It works.
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