May I Help Me
by: Laura Stevenson
Image from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
I’m nearing the end of my junior spring semester at the University of San Francisco and it’s been the roughest point of my college career. I juggled two research projects, filming a narrative and short documentary for a video production, being an ASL level 3 tutor, rehearsing for three dance performances in April (about ten hours a week since February), actually doing those performances, navigating a relationship, hanging out with friends, completing weekly assignments and finding time to sleep. But it’s finally May.
May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM).
Since 1949, May has been the time of year to bring national awareness to the mental health and wellness of Americans according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Individuals celebrate recovery from mental illness, share resources, and educate others to provide mental health support. Though mental health affects our daily lives and well being year round, May is an annual reminder of its importance and how it affects people across the nation. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reported that 1 in 5 U.S adults experience mental illness and 17% of American youth (6-17 years old) experience a mental health disorder.
It is important to raise awareness on mental health in all its forms, diagnosed and undiagnosed. As well as, it’s vital to acknowledge signs of declining mental health and take preventative measures.
Remember: Your mental health matters even if you think it doesn’t.
We’re all busy. We all get tired. Some of us forget to eat throughout the day because we’re using that time to work. Some of us decide to stay awake a little longer at night to finish tasks we neglected during the day. We tend to forget the importance of prioritizing ourselves.
I’m guilty of it too.
I have a hard time knowing what my limits are and how many commitments I can actually handle. I fell behind completing class assignments on time because dance practice tired me out more than I expected. So I chose sleep over homework. I spent the chunk of time I had between classes and rehearsal doing school work. I’d leave my apartment at nine in the morning and wouldn’t return until after ten at night. I was lucky if I ate a meal between that time. I spent more time in the library and the dance room than in my own bed. I’ve experienced anxiety and stress the worst I ever have this past semester. I felt alone, overwhelmed, exhausted, and trapped. I felt like there weren’t enough hours in the day.
There is no one that knows my mind better than me. I struggled, but the outlet that worked best for me was scheduling time to rest and engage with my hobbies, seeking support from my loved ones and taking a break from dance when I needed it.
It’s easy to forget about your own mental health when there is so much going on in your life. You may not even recognize your own mental health declining or you may be more concerned about other people. Here are a few things and resources to keep in mind: Be mindful, check in with yourself, listen to what your body needs, take breaks, make plans with your social circles, spend time with yourself. Remember to rest, be kind to yourself and be kind to others.
(Credit to Rowan University DEI article for feature image).
Resources
2024 SAMHSA Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit
Mental Health America 2024 Toolkit
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK
