Fear, shame, hopelessness, and lack of awareness are often large obstacles for seeking treatment, but we seek to change that. If you are struggling with your mental health, the best thing you can do is seek help. You are not crazy or different, and what your feeling is completely valid. Reach out to a trusted individual, or contact one of the resources provided on our blog. You don’t have to do this on your own.

One study found that almost half of college students had a psychiatric disorder in the past year, and around 73% of students experience some sort of mental health crisis during their time in college. However, only 25% of students with a mental health problem seek help.

At Penn State alone, according to the Penn State Student Health Assessment done in 2020, 19% of students have been diagnosed with a form of anxiety and 14% have been diagnosed with a form of depression. Under the top 10 issues that affect academics, stress, anxiety and depression are all in the top 5, affecting 33%, 24% and 19% of students respectively. Even at Penn State, you are not alone in your struggles. If you notice signs in yourself or someone you know, don’t hesitate to reach out and seek help. You can contact Counseling and Psychological Services (1-814-863-0395), the Penn State Crisis Line (1-877-229-6400), or even talk to an RA. M0re resources are listed under the “Report and Seek Help” page.

Stigma around mental health often creates a barrier and prevent people from seeking help and receiving support through fear and shame. People with mental illness are often perceived as dangerous, irresponsible and unreliable by society, often causing people to feel alienated and struggle to reach out to others. Stigma can also make someone’s recovery much more difficult. We need to change the way we view mental health, supporting those who need it and realizing that people are not defined by their condition. For more information on fighting stigma against mental health, visit https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Pledge-to-Be-StigmaFree.