World Mental Health Day 2024: Why Mental Health Is Important For Students?

World Mental Health Day 2024: Students face silent battles with mental health, affecting academics, social life, and well-being. Breaking the stigma is key to empowering them for balanced, successful lives

By Dr. Subhadra Mandalika

“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light.” - Albus Dumbledore

In the times we are living in, it is easy for any individual to get roped in the hustle and bustle of daily life. Mental wellness and mental health is something that has been the highlight for the longest time now and as the situation worsens, the need to address this issue openly has increased. Students and youngsters today face the critical pressure of these silent issues as they juggle academic pressure and their personal well-being on a regular basis. Mental health is something that needs as much importance as we give to our physical well-being. Students and the youth of today are the building walls of the future and their mental health should be a priority.

Mental Health: The Silent Struggles of Students

The life of a student comes with a bag of responsibilities and academic pressure, which is consumed by deadlines, exams, and the constant pressure of competition. The struggles are not limited to academic study but also to the personal development, social dynamics, and family issues that every student goes through. All these factors combined have a huge impact on a student's mental health.

It is the silent battle that they face each and every day of their lives and that leads them to feel anxious and depressed. Students may or may not show signs of distress but an internal battle of anxiety, depression, stress, or burnout is always there. These mental wellness issues gradually start to affect their academic performances and their life overall.

Academic Impact

Dealing with any kind of mental health issue comes with a lot of repercussions that can have a negative impact on an individual’s life. One of the significant repercussions is that it affects a student’s academic performance. Students dealing with anxiety or depression may get overwhelmed with stress or emotional challenges, which makes it difficult for them to concentrate in class, retain information, or stay focused to complete any assignments. Anxiety and depression are severe mental health issues that can create a brain fog in a student's mind making it difficult for them to even complete or keep up with simple tasks.

This will eventually make them lose concentration and in some extreme cases students may even drop out of college entirely. Additionally, the stigma surrounding mental health prevents students from seeking help when it's important. The fear of being judged or misunderstood by their peers, makes students keep their struggles to themselves. They feel that sharing and openly talking about these silent battles will make them get judged by their teachers, friends, colleagues, and even families.

The Impact of Mental Health on Social Interaction

Mental Health plays a significant role in how students dealing with these issues interact with others. Issues like anxiety and depression can make a person scared and introverted where they fear speaking their heart out. A student who is feeling emotionally stable is more likely to engage in healthy relationships with friends, family, and classmates. These students are comfortable in contributing positively to group projects, participating in class discussions, being a part of extra-curriculum and having a healthy relationship with people around.

Social connections help students develop a sense of belonging that reduces the feeling of isolation and loneliness. On the other hand, poor mental health can lead to an individual feeling aloof. They tend to withdraw from social activities, which makes it harder for them to build relationships. In situations where students end up feeling disconnected from their support systems, there can be an increase in the feeling of loneliness. This will further worsen their mental well-being making it difficult for them to come out of their shell.

The Stigma: Breaking the Stigma around Mental Health

Breaking the stigma around mental health is one of the most important things. People have made mental health a taboo that can't be talked about or communicated about. These severe issues need to be normalised and normalising it will help us create a culture where students feel safe and protected to seek help when needed.

Mental well-being is an important aspect of a student's life that needs to be talked about. These issues require proper attention, and without proper care, students are at risk of academic decline and emotional instability. Supporting mental health is not just about preventing problems, it's about empowering students to live fulfilling, balanced, and successful lives.

(The Author is an Academic and Research Advisor at Lifeness Science Institute (LSI)-FVEG)

[Disclaimer: The opinions, beliefs, and views expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this website are personal and do not reflect the opinions, beliefs, and views of ABP News Network Pvt Ltd.]

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