When Your Dealing with Depression and Ensuring Your University Education
As a full-time student and international student dealing with depression and anxiety daily, it is a struggle, primarily when you continually deal with hardships: homesickness, social difference, and all-around stress. Sometimes there are difficulties within people. Students who have experienced anxiousness or depressed feelings should know that they are not alone. It merely is not uncommon to feel this way—in particular, being involved in the university community.
With the experience of coping with the university, you most likely are not the only one. It is very often that students will find themselves having issues with a new atmosphere but in silence. Having this peace of mind that indeed "we are all okay." Unfortunately, that is not true.
The first thing that the people who would probably assist you during this time most likely start with, "Talk to someone you trust." Not everyone is trustworthy in many factors, which is why you're speaking with a professional. To even begin setting boundaries, you have to make sure you state your limitations. However, if you feel uncomfortable with this, there is also a great student with mental health hotlines or even services by students, and for the students, please check it out.
Here are some links :
800.Suicide (784.2433)
A 24 hrs service that forwards your call to the nearest crisis hotline in your area determined from your phone's area code.
Mental Health Association of Florida–24 hr Local Crisis Hotline
Crisis & Suicide Hotlines by Area
CAPS Crisis Line- 407-823-2811 (press 5)
Secondly, during these changing times, you will have a little thought in your mind if you're making the right decision academically, socially, and emotionally and are you supposed to be handling this by yourself since, well, it's your problem, right?.
If you're having these constant feelings and anxiety, going to a professional is a way to go.
As a seasoned higher educated student, I would say these student centers help most universities hold therapists and counselors. They do offer emotional support and space to vent and, most importantly, a listening ear.
However, services vary, especially in the variation of the amount they are used and if you do hold insurance and everything that comes with it. This can continue your healing through the school you are attending. If you're a student who is already aware of your diagnosis with any mental illness, it is better to let the school know, and based on their services like the disability service center, they will adjust and assist you. I am a student attached to such a center as "disability services" due to my neurological disorder condition and my mental health of having depression and anxiety. Doing this makes the load of paperwork and stress less stressful and comes with much assistance to make your university or school adventure a glorious one. Besides the tuition and books payment, ha!
However, besides all the small jokes and funny moments, this will be a journey for you and anyone, to be honest. Especially in these times of returning to class either online or in-person for some, this can be full of breakdown and emotional distress. However, it is essential to have someone in your corner, either a friend who will listen without judgment or a fully prepared counselor who gives you a chance to vent. Whatever pain, stress, and worry you may face, do not hold it inside.
Trust me. I am also working on it.
Remember, everything will be progressing especially, with higher education and walking (fully) in the world of adulthood.