Let's talk about mental health

This is something that I’ve wanted to write about since I started writing for Life at Southampton, but I have always managed to think of something else to write about…perhaps to avoid talking about mental health.

At the end of second year I suffered a series of panic attacks and was subsequently diagnosed with anxiety and depression. I hadn’t wanted to admit that I was struggling; even day-to-day tasks were becoming difficult and even just talking to people or leaving the house to go anywhere other than the library was becoming impossible. I convinced myself that I was just focusing on work, I was just busy and under a lot of pressure – that how I was feeling was normal. It wasn’t until I hit a crisis point that I went to the GP and admitted something was wrong. Since then things have gotten better, and I wish I had spoken to someone sooner, before I let it get as far as it did – but it’s still hard to talk about.

My experience, it turns out, is similar to the experiences of so many students, not just at Southampton but all over the UK. The transition to University is one of the most dramatic transitions that young people today face. Countless studies have shown that the prevalence of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders are significantly higher amongst student populations – yet somehow, unbelievably, mental health isn’t something that’s commonly discussed before you move to University. For some reason, we still have this concept of mental health disorders as something you can ‘just get over’.

So, the first message that I want to get across is: if you notice that you aren’t coping well, that your habits have changed, you’re becoming withdrawn, or eating differently – talk to someone.

 The first point of contact could be a friend, your GP (the GPs at the University Health Service were extremely knowledgeable and helpful), or Enabling Services within the University (who run drop in sessions from 1pm to 3pm Monday to Friday during term time).

Also Masters students, PhD’s and Postdoc’s, listen up! Those studying a PhD are the most at risk of developing a mental health disorder, so all of this applies to you as well.

If you speak to your GP, they might recommend that you seek out some form of counselling, either through Enabling Services (which is free) or through NHS Steps2Wellbeing (also free), which offers counselling and treatments such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for various illnesses.

Something that has frustrated me immensely is the cliché that an eating disorder is only anorexia or bulimia, and that it only affects women. This is not true! Men and women are equally at risk of developing an eating disorder, which can manifest in any number of different ways. What’s important is that you recognise that you know you best. If you notice that your eating habits have changed, or that you feel differently about food, that’s when you need to talk to someone. Eating disorders are best cured right at the start, before they have time to take hold and do irreparable damage.

The key thing to know is that you are so not alone, and that in Southampton there is so much help available.

For instance, the University has launched a new counselling service where students have been trained to act as ‘buddies’ for people who are finding it hard to adjust. They are trained in confidential listening techniques and have loads of advice for students who don’t know what to do next.

Charities such as 'Student Minds - Southampton' offer support groups, events and training, and runs campaigns aimed at raising awareness. Visit their Facebook page for more information.

The University offers a number of specialised treatments and outreach services so that there is ALWAYS someone for you to talk to, at any time, in Southampton.

Emma