What is mental health?

Mental health includes a person’s emotional, psychological and social well-being; it impacts the way we think, feel and act and also determines how we handle stress, relate to others and make decisions. Mental health is essential in every phase of life, from youth to adulthood.

Why is mental health important?

Mental health is important because it affects different aspects of our lives. Having positive mental health helps to:

  1. Perform well at school, work and in life
  2. Relate positively with people and the environment
  3. Have good self-perception
  4. Handle stressful life situations
  5. Support physical health

A brief introduction to mental health and college students

The mental health of university students is a relevant topic to study because poor mental health can become a barrier to achieving personal and professional goals. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the mortality rate in young individuals has increased, with 30% of deaths from suicide. This means that 50% were not diagnosed or treated in time, thus generating one of the reasons for suicide worldwide. The WHO believes that by 2024, the number of victims could increase to 1.5 million.

College students are facing stress caused by many factors. However, the reason for these feelings and how they live differ for each person. For instance, some students generate internal stress due to the personal goals they want to achieve based on external expectations. Some reasons behind it are academic success, achieving a work/life balance, identity pressure and relationships. It is a mixture of internal and external stress for students that negatively affects many facets of social growth, learning and overall well-being. In addition, the pandemic has profoundly impacted social interactions and academic and emotional development.

Since mental health is the most important thing of all and our performance depends on it, isn’t it wise to take care of it? The problem is that we don’t always know where to start. There is stigma on the subject and so much information that it can become overwhelming, and we can simply leave the subject aside. That’s why spreading awareness about mental health is important, as it can destigmatize how we approach and refer to mental health issues in our society. Start by eliminating the feeling of shame and guilt about mental health issues in order to find the solution and motivate people who are struggling to ask for help.

You are the most important thing in your life, and to perform in college, work and life in general, you must take care of the most important thing – YOU. As an international student and the human being that I am, I have found myself too many times feeling like my thoughts and emotions go faster than me, to the point where calming my mind is a challenge – and this is where I take responsibility because I am the one in charge of managing the only thing I have control over – my thoughts and emotions. I make a process of introspection and observe what is causing my emotions.

Throughout my life, I have learned that activities like stopping to be the observer of my life really makes a difference because I’m observing what is happening around me.

How can I improve my mental health? (On-campus activities, outdoor activities)

There are many different on-campus and outdoor activities you can do to improve your mental health, including:

  • Exploring natural areas close to UCW: Vancouver, BC, has beautiful forests, mountains and beaches. The UCW Vancouver House Campus is close to many beautiful places where you can enjoy nature, such as Sunset Beach, David Lam Park and Kitsilano Beach. A simple activity like walking in parks is beneficial for both the mind and body. As environmental psychologist Roger Ulrich, Ph.D., stated, “nature is a positive distraction.” According to Dr. Ulrich, being in contact with mother earth reduces stress, motivates positive health results, lowers blood pressure and stabilizes circadian rhythms.
  • Visiting the UCW Library: Reading has an excellent effect on your mental health; it is considered a form of meditation because it requires relaxation and total concentration. It has been proven that reading can reduce stress by up to 68%, and therapy books are very effective as a treatment. UCW has a beautiful, comfortable and calm library where students can enjoy reading.
  • Volunteering at UCW: As social beings, we need to connect and build healthy relationships with others. Studies have shown that having different types of solid social connections, such as family, friends and co-workers, help protect you against harm or stress. At UCW, you can be part of the Peer2Peer Program or join one of the student groups. As a Peer Leader, you are constantly meeting new people and doing something different and I highly recommend it.
  • Attending UCW events: Attending the different events hosted by the University is one way to gain knowledge, get out of your routine and meet new people.
  • Meditating: This relaxation technique helps to focus your attention and awareness and can be practiced in a quiet place with zero distractions. You can practice it at home or in UCW’s quiet/faith room. Daily meditation is my favourite and something I practice every day.
  • Practicing gratitude: Being constantly thankful for everything you have in your life will attract more of that into your life, and the happiness hormone activates when you are feeling grateful. Every day I write in my journal 10 things I’m grateful for and what I have to improve about that day. This simple but powerful activity has changed my life.

Written by UCW BCom Student Fabiana B.
Published on October 22, 2022.