A month into the fall semester, the transition from summer fun to classes may be intense.
The rush of settling into a second home, grappling with an immense amount of freedom, and simultaneously having to balance educational priorities along with sports and clubs may cause a lot of adversity for students.
With this shift, mass amounts of stress can arise to the point of making students feel sick. 73% of college students say it is overwhelming, according to a 2024 study done by Harmony Healthcare It.
Harmony Healthcare It study states that 44% of college students do not have the mental health support they need at school, 36% of whom say they don’t have the time, and 22% say it’s because they’re worried about confidentiality..
Katherine Goncalves, junior psychology major, shared that there was a time when she didn’t put as much time into her mental health as she would’ve liked to.
“If I wasn’t working, then I was at school, and if I wasn’t at school, I was sleeping my life away in bed,” Goncalves said. “It became hard to take care of myself and even harder to talk to people. I was trapped in a continuous loop – but I thankfully managed to pull myself out.”
There are many things one can do to make sure they are putting time into their mental health every day. Nicole Milano, a social worker and professor at William Paterson University, talked about the importance of confiding in someone you trust.
“Sometimes just sharing the thoughts themselves is enough to relieve some of the pressure someone may be feeling,” Milano said. “…most people don’t actually want to end their lives, but rather stop suffering, and sharing may be a step towards that.”
Milano also talks about the importance of establishing a self-care routine.
“I know it might be hard to fit in self-care with everything else students have going on, but simple changes can make a big difference,” Milano said. “For example, prioritizing as much rest as possible, engaging in joyful hobbies, even for just 10 minutes a day, walking when possible, all are minor changes that can be established to help manage stress.
Goncalves shares some things she likes to do as a form of self-care.
“I’ll write a letter to whoever it is I’ll be in two years from now, and then I’ll stash it away. Two years later, on my birthday, I’ll open it – having completely forgotten what I wrote – I’ll read it, and then I’ll write another one. I’ve been doing this since I was 15,” Goncalves said.
With so many services available, students don’t have to navigate these challenges alone. College life comes with its ups and downs, but reaching out for help can make the journey a little lighter and remind students that their well-being is just as important as their grades.
“Lastly, and most importantly, I would remind each student that they matter and are loved,” Milano said. “The world is better with you in it.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health issues, please get in touch with the William Paterson University Counseling Health and Wellness Center.
The Counseling, Health and Wellness Center offers individual therapy, group counseling, and drop-in support sessions on weekday afternoons.
For students who need flexibility, UWILL teletherapy provides virtual counseling, including evening and weekend availability. The center also has crisis services available 24/7 for emergencies, and since this fall, students have access to psychiatric medication management with a part-time psychiatrist.
Other outlets you can reach out to include the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
