by Jaylon Brunson

I have learned during my time at Greensboro College that college can really impact your mental health. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five teens and young adults live with mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and other issues. Three-quarters of these individuals develop these conditions by their mid-20s. It is crucial to focus on intervention and prevention strategies when dealing with mental health. If anyone has trouble, I recommend staying connected and practicing self-care. Surround yourself with supportive friends and family also make time for activities that you enjoy and that help you relax. Building a strong support network and engaging in self-care can help you manage stress and navigate tough times.

Colleges should create a safe place for students to address mental health struggles through accessible information and websites that list services and providers to assist students and staff. Keeping open conversations on campus is also important so everyone feels comfortable discussing mental health issues.

Greensboro College offers several resources for mental health, including access to professional counselors through the Counseling Services. These services provide individual and group counseling sessions, workshops, and other resources to support students’ mental well-being. Counseling Services offer free, confidential counseling for enrolled students to discuss any life concerns. Counseling can help with stress management and other issues. Utilizing these resources can be a great way to stay connected and practice self-care on campus.

Support groups can address mental health issues for students and staff, which is something Greensboro College offers. Not only are we a tight-knitted community and can always find someone to rely on, there are also clubs on campus like the GC charter of NAMI. The Sankofa Center Network also provides a great place to discuss mental health and well-being. This network offers culturally relevant support and resources, fostering a sense of community and understanding. Family and friends are also crucial when dealing with mental health as they can offer support.

We also need to tackle the stigma around mental health and have conversations to promote it. Greensboro College should reach out to outside organizations to expand resources. Another way to address mental health is to integrate mental health training into academics and student life and make it part of staff training. Offering online surveys to students and staff, as well as counseling centers, can also help.