From Crisis to Coping: Navigating Mental Health in University
Author: UNB College of Extended Learning
Posted on Dec 14, 2023
Category: News and Events , Degree Credit , Online Learning , Occupational Health and Safety
According to a recent article from Psychology Today, more than 60% of college and university students meet the criteria for at least one mental health issue.
Some people blame the pandemic for the rise in mental health issues but according to research, student mental health has been on a consistent decline for years. The pandemic simply heightened what was already happening.
The pressure to achieve academic success and create an "extraordinary" life can be crushing. But it's important to remember that you are not alone.
Here are a few approaches that might help
Coping strategies that some students have adopted include:
- Communication (talking to a friend, family member or therapist)
- Exercise
- Journaling
- Meditating
- Eating well
- Turning off the phone
There are also specific calming activities worth trying, such as:
- Deep breathing
- Listening to music or nature sounds
- Reading
- Arts and crafts
- Resting
- Watching tv shows
- Playing video games
- Getting outside (even for a few minutes)
Are you struggling right now?
A new free mental health support line for all Canadians is now available, providing callers with one-on-one care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with specialized care for children and Indigenous callers. Hotline support workers are trained in crisis management and suicide prevention, and help is available in French and English.
To reach the Mental Health Crisis Hotline, call or text 988.
As of November 2023, all University of New Brunswick (UNB) and St. Thomas University (STU) students have access to a free 24/7 peer-to-peer online mental health support platform called Togetherall. According to a UNB Newsroom article, "members get support when they need it and give support when they can".
Togetherall is a completely anonymous place where you can get help in real-time.