Mental health is something college students hear about often, but that does not mean students always know how to talk about it.
Between classes, jobs, extracurricular activities, relationships and trying to figure out what comes after graduation, college can feel overwhelming.
Students are often expected to keep up while pretending they have it all together. But struggling does not mean someone is weak, lazy or incapable.
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month but mental health should be more than a once-a-year reminder to “take care of yourself.” It should be an ongoing conversation on college campuses.
Universities have a responsibility to make mental health resources accessible, but students also have a role to play.
Checking in on a friend, listening without judgment, or encouraging someone to seek professional help can make a difference. Sometimes, simply asking, “Are you OK?” can open a conversation someone desperately needs.
At the same time, students should not feel ashamed for needing help. Going to counseling should be viewed no differently than visiting a doctor when physically sick. Mental health is health, and taking care of it should not be treated as something embarrassing.
College is supposed to be a time of growth and discovery. Students should not have to sacrifice their well-being to succeed academically or socially.
Mental health awareness means recognizing when we or someone around us needs help — and making sure that asking for help is met with understanding rather than judgment.
We cannot eliminate every challenge students face, but we can make sure no one feels like they have to face those challenges alone.
To learn more about counseling at LU, visit https://www.lamar.edu/students/student-affairs/student-health-center/counseling-services/.