Moving Toward Mental Health

Article written by Graham for Strike Magazine, UF edition, highlighting the rigidity of traditional paths with an emphasis on mental health.

MOVING TOWARD MENTAL HEALTH

Apply to college.

Immerse yourself in a meaningful environment.

Secure an internship.

Search for more opportunities.

Maintain a solid GPA.

Keep up with your social life.

Make professional connections.

Need more involvement.

Prepare your resume.

Apply for jobs.

Grow up.

When did college become so formulaic? Within this bubble of high-octane, competitive energy, college students believe that our happiness comes at a cost. We sacrifice our physical health, sleep, fun, and more in hopes of putting ourselves ahead of the game. But in reality, we’re neglecting something crucial to our longevity: mental health. Add your mental health to the list of priorities, because without it, you can easily become consumed in the rat race.

Our generation is steadily disrupting the norm of what it means to be successful. For decades, we’ve measured success monetarily, but pioneers are challenging what it means to be happy.

World-class athletes like DeMar DeRozan and Kevin Love opened up about their mental health challenges. We faced the harsh reality of a summer riddled with celebrity suicides. We felt the loss of a cultural icon in Mac Miller. He showcased the volatile roller coaster ride that is stardom and success. We are reminded that money doesn’t necessarily lead to happiness. Influential characters in the mainstream who highlight mental health help start important conversations. But real change comes from us – the public. As college students, we have a unique opportunity to foster change.

Take the superbly wack equation that began this article. We all conform to some version of that concept. We’ve watched those who studied before us rise the ranks by following a process. But these times, they are a’changin. We don’t need to follow a list of steps to achieve our goals, because we are normalizing mental health. It’s something we all deal with in some way. As a frame of reference, Rizzarr, a millennial-driven content incubator, recently cited Vox Magazine in a piece on this exact idea.

“Despite being harder on themselves. millennials were found to be more accepting of others with mental illness than previous generations, according to a survey conducted by American University this year. Of those surveyed, 85 percent said they would have no problem making friends or working with someone experiencing a mental illness (Vox Magazine).”

We are coming to understand our own limitations and those of the people around us. This shift is intangible, but we are theoretically watching the world undergo massive renovations, and we have control.

Ultimately, seek to be in-tune with your mental capacity and well-being. There may not be a simple equation to ensure success, but prioritizing your mental health gives you a fighting chance.