38 Taking Care of Your Mental Health
The World Health Organization ranks mental health conditions as the leading cause of disability in the United States. One in four adults experience a diagnosable mental health disorder in any given year, yet more than half will not seek treatment. The primary reason people don’t seek the help they need is shame and fear of judgment from friends, family, and coworkers. It is important to remove any stigma associated with mental health and encourage those who need help to seek support.
WHAT STUDENTS SAY
- In your opinion, which of the following is the most significant health issue facing college students?
- stress and/or exhaustion
- drinking and/or substance abuse
- unhealthy eating
- unhealthy relationships
- safety
- Which of the following best describes your experience or outlook regarding healthy eating while in college?
- I’m generally able to eat healthy food most of the time.
- I have difficulty eating healthy food because of lack of choices on campus.
- I don’t have enough money to eat healthy food.
- I don’t have enough time to focus on eating healthy food.
- I need to learn more about healthy eating.
- It’s not something I’m very concerned about.
- When you are facing an issue regarding your emotions, stress, mental health, or relationships, what do you typically do?
- Wait for it to pass or work through it.
- Talk to a health professional.
- Talk to friends or family.
- Talk to another trusted person such as a teacher, RA, or religious person.
- Use a method such as meditation, exercise, or something similar.
You can also take the anonymous What Students Say surveys to add your voice to this textbook. Your responses will be included in updates.
Students offered their views on these questions, and the results are displayed in the graphs below.
In your opinion, which of the following is the most significant health issue facing college students?
Which of the following best describes your experience or outlook regarding healthy eating while in college?
When you are facing an issue regarding your emotions, stress, mental health, or relationships, what do you typically do?
What Is Mental Health?
Mental health serves as more than a mere absence of mental disorders; it is an empowering state that equips individuals to effectively navigate life’s complexities, actualize their capabilities, perform meaningful work, and positively impact their communities.[1] This state of well-being is a dynamic interplay of emotional, behavioral, and cognitive facets.
In contrast, a mental disorder disrupts this harmonious state, impeding an individual’s ability to function across multiple spheres. The roots of such disorders are often multifactorial, stemming from biological, psychological, social, and environmental influences.[2] A range of treatments exists to manage these conditions, from psychotherapy and medication to self-guided strategies.
Anxiety Disorders
We all experience the occasional feeling of anxiety, which i