How to Know When to Ask For Help With Your Mental Health in College

College is a balancing act

When you’re in college, you’re juggling a lot of different things. You are managing your academics, social life, sleep hygiene, and finances. There’s also the existential question that’s looming over your head – what do you want to be when you grow up? If you put all these factors together, you may feel overwhelmed. That’s natural. But, when do you seek help for these stressors? Some people can manage their issues on their own, while others struggle with mental health issues. You may be wondering, “When do I need to ask for help?”

Anxiety can impact your education and social life

Anxiety is a medical condition. You may not realize it, but when you’re in a state of anxiety or panic, your body reacts. You may experience racing heart, difficulty focusing, sweating, nervousness, or shaking. These are physiological symptoms that go along with anxiety. Imagine you’re in the middle of an exam, and you can’t remember a part of the book you read for class. It’s a multiple-choice test, and you freeze. You feel yourself having heart palpitations, and you start shaking. You have a panic attack. There’s nothing you can do to stop it, and you have two choices: finish the test or leave class. It’s a dilemma, and there’s no right answer. Panic attacks can be downright terrifying. If you start having them, it’s crucial to ask for help. These attacks are signs that there’s something deeper going on, and you need to speak to a mental health professional to learn coping skills.

College and depression

Depression is a pervasive issue that affects millions of people throughout the United States, some of which include college students. Many things can cause college students to feel depressed. It could be that they have depression in their family, perhaps they’re struggling with making friends in school. Maybe their grades aren’t up to par, and their family is disappointed. These are things that a person can work through in therapy. Depression can make a person feel hopeless, but it’s a highly treatable condition. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, whether that’s with a campus counselor or an outside therapist. You might also consider online therapy.

Online therapy can help college students

It’s no secret that college students are busy. If you’re studying in a university, you barely have time to be alone with your thoughts. It’s hard to carve out time for self-care, but it’s crucial to do so. One of the ways that you can take care of yourself is by going to therapy. You don’t need to be in a crisis-state to see a counselor. Many college students work with a therapist to maintain mental wellness. One flexible and easy way to see a therapist is online. Online therapy with a company like BetterHelp is a great place to talk about stressors that you experience in school. You can work with your therapist to develop coping skills for panic, or managing depression symptoms. Whatever you’re dealing with as a student, your therapist is there to listen. They care about your well-being and want to help you succeed in your academics and maintain a strong social support system. Don’t be afraid to try online therapy as a way to work through your problems and stay grounded in school.