Did you know that 75% of mental illnesses begin by the age of 24?
This means that even if you've never experienced a problem with your mental health it's still important to know how to care for it. Make sure to prioritize taking care of your mental health.
In Iowa, nearly half a million adults have a mental health condition. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis call, text or chat with Your Life Iowa to talk to a trained professional.
Taking care of your mental health
It's important to take care of your mental health regularly. This can help you feel better and be better able to manage stress when it happens.
- Go for a walk or get some exercise
- Talk to a friend or family member
- Eat your favorite food/meal
- Self-reflect on things youβre grateful for
- Journal your feelings
- Watch your favorite movie or TV show
Stress
You may experience more stress in college dealing with academic stressors like harder classes, tests, and homework. Learning to navigate living on your own and being independent for probably the first time in your life can be overwhelming. Practicing healthy coping mechanisms can help you deal with the everyday stressors of college life.
Some stress can actually be a good thing but when stress becomes overwhelming and chronic that's when it may be time to take a break and seek help. Too much stress not only affects your mental well-being, but your physical health as well.
These practical steps can help you reduce your stress or better manage it when it occurs.
- Avoid drugs and alcohol
- Spend time doing activities you enjoy
- Spend time with friends and family
- Get enough sleep
- Eat a healthy meal
- Exercise
- Meditation or relaxation techniques
Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems college students face. In fact it is so common that over 38% of college women and over 17% of college men reported being diagnosed with anxiety. Anxiety comes in many forms and there are many different kinds of anxiety. Some common anxiety disorders are generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Depression
Another common mental health problem among young people is depression. Similar to anxiety, depression comes in many forms, some commonly diagnosed types of depression are major depression, persistent depressive disorder, seasonal depression, and bipolar disorder. Some common symptoms of depression are persistent feelings of hopelessness, sadness, feeling empty, and losing interest in activities that once brought joy. Depression can also cause changes in sleep and appetite, decreased energy, and difficulty concentrating.
Social media & mental health
Social media is a regular part of many teens' lives. However, research has shown that social media can increase the risk of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. It's important to reflect on ways social media could be impacting your mental health.
Tips for healthy social media use include:
- Make your accounts private
- Only follow people you're actually friends with
- Spend less time using social media
- Worry less about likes or comments
- Don't let strangers follow your account