By Madison Boggs | If mental health is difficult for you to talk about, you are not alone. However, it is important to understand the importance of taking care of yourself. Some of our Yellow Jacket staff have some great words of wisdom to help.
“To prioritize my mental health, I just say no. A lot of times my mental health goes in the trash when I start saying yes to everything all at once. I must prioritize what I want to do and say no to other things,” Deputy Editor Jordan Givens said.
Learning to set boundaries is so important to staying healthy mentally. When you start trying to do everything all at once, chances are you will get overwhelmed, and you may not be able to handle it all at once.
“I have learned the hard way to pay attention to my body. I spent the first few weeks of the semester not taking good care of myself mentally, so I had to set boundaries for myself and started prioritizing my mental and physical health first. That way, I am now healthy enough to help other people because I am taking good care of myself first,” said staff writer Madi Boggs.
So, what do you do when life gets hectic? What happens when you have 3 tests and 2 projects all in one week? You need to find a coping mechanism that works for you. Something to get your mind off stress, but helps you work through it at the same time.
“Honestly, I do not cope with stress very well. I am a perfectionist, so truthfully, I always want to push through and do my very best to finish, but recognizing when I need to give myself rest is important. Whether that is with school, friendships, or chores, I always want to give myself a break. Take a nap, eat lunch, take a walk, or go workout. Just something to separate my thoughts for a bit,” said Editor in Chief Mackynlie Conklin.
Coping with stress can be hard, but it is important to be vulnerable around those who truly care about you. Your support group can help you and walk with you through tough times. Self-care is also an important part of taking care of your mental health.
“I will take a step back and do my daily routine over again. If I am in the middle of the day and I can go home and restart my routine I will. Personal health and mental health go hand in hand, so I will literally go brush my teeth and wash my face over again. I just step back, take a breath, and refresh my body and mind. That way I feel like I have a complete fresh start to my day,” said Givens.
Even with great coping mechanisms, balancing your life and prioritizing your mental health can still be hard. Our staff members have some advice about that too!
“One, you are never alone. Understand that despite appearances, everyone struggles in some way. Two, do not be afraid to ask for help. There are so many resources to aid you. Asking for help is never a sign of weakness,” Conklin said.
Realizing that you are not alone in your struggles is key to the beginning of healing. Talking to someone can also help you begin to process things and heal.
“When you are starting to have a rough time, it is super important to talk to someone. Whether that is a friend, parent, or a professional, it is important that you have a safe space to talk and process your situation aloud. There are even counselors on campus that you can go see to help you,” Boggs said.
If you need counseling or need to talk to someone, visit the Mental Health Services office on the right side of Jennings by the Jesus Statue on campus. If you or someone you care about is dealing with suicidal thoughts, call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.