To mark University Mental Health Day (1 March), Student Writer Natasha promotes the importance of de-stigmatising mental health issues through sharing her own experiences
Can you imagine waking up in the morning to these thoughts:
We have one life and one life only and in this one life we all deserve to feel secure, happy, loved and respected.
But what happens when you become your own enemy?
After my Grandmother died after a brief battle with lung fibrosis, I had a tough time dealing with it. My mother realised that I needed help and convinced me to go to therapy, which is where I realised that I was both depressed and had severe anxiety.
Mental health issues are pretty much like any other physical health issue - there are symptoms, it affects your body and it needs a cure. But overcoming a mental health issue is much harder; there are no ‘over the counter’ medicines that will solve the problem wholly. This is a fight you’ve got to win, all on your own, against yourself.
And that’s exactly what I did…through regular therapy and a change of thought patterns, I came out of my depression and anxiety with a bunch of life-changing lessons.
For as Dumbledore so wisely said, “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light…”
As an international student fresh out of India and brand new to the U.K, I have noticed my anxiety resurfacing. Building a life for myself all from scratch in a new country has been no small feat.
And if you’re reading this and are struggling with life - I just want to tell you that whatever it is that you’re feeling it is not permanent. You will always get through it, the sun always shines after the storm.
You should also know that there is a whole bunch of people out there who might be going through the exact same thing as you. You’re not alone.
Photo by Matheus Bertelli from Pexels
Sometimes when we are stuck and so entwined in the fog, the best thing to do is to TALK and express yourself.
Here at Middlesex they promote and support Mental Health and encourage students to engage in counselling services. They even have a wonderful online programme called SilverCloud which is an online platform for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy!
Available to all registered students and staff, this programme currently helps students going through any issue related to the following - Anxiety, Depression and low mood, stress and body image.
Remember that a problem is just a part of your life, not your whole life.
Join the conversation this University Mental Health Day!
