Words by Emily Huelin
A study by UniHealth reveals that 82 percent of students admit experiencing anxiety but only 25 percent would seek help for it.
Endless amounts of alcohol and crazy house parties. Sounds amazing, right? Well, student life doesn’t always meet these high expectations. Tight deadlines and countless exams can put a lot of pressure on students. According to a recent study, between 2015 and 2016, more than 15,000 UK first-year students disclosed mental health issues.
“Will they think I’m overreacting?”
So, why do we find it so hard to open up and talk about mental health? Aubany Swinney, a former film student in London says: “The thought of speaking to someone about my anxiety used to fill me with dread. Will they think I’m overreacting? Will they think I’m just feeling a bit stressed? It was a really hard and dark time for me.”
“I would actually miss lectures”
Aubany continues: “The more you isolate yourself, the more isolated you feel. It’s a never ending cycle of feeling so alone.”
With the number of students suffering anxiety on the rise, support and recognition are essential during this challenging time. Aubany explains: “When you have that dream where you are pushed onto a stage in front of millions of people, that is how it feels for people with anxiety every day.”
“It’s not as taboo anymore”
She adds: “It’s just really difficult as your mind is going 100 miles a minute all the time. I would actually miss lectures because I didn’t want to walk into the room.”
Perhaps a few years ago, mental health issues were pretty much unmentionable, but now, thanks to campaigns and charities, discussing how to manage anxiety is much more common. Neil Gregory, Learning and Development Officer at Mental Health Matters says: “I do think the situation is changing. Campaigns such as Time to Change are encouraging people to talk, the Princes have talked about their mental health and people are starting to open up. It’s not as taboo anymore.”
“So many students who go unheard”
A recent YouGov survey found that 74 percent of students have anxiety related problems. So remember, you are not alone – even those closest to you could be feeling exactly the same. According to Red Newsom, Office Coordinator at Anxiety UK, the best method to tackle anxiety is to open up and reach out to someone.
Talking about problems may seem super easy to someone who does not suffer with anxiety. However, this can seem impossible to some. Speaking out and becoming vulnerable might make your skin crawl with dread but it’s the start of facing your anxiety head on.
Aubany says: “I think there are so many students who go unheard and don’t talk about it. I understand that it’s very difficult to come and speak to someone about it. I have only recently spoken to someone about my anxiety and they said, you know what, I am going through the same thing. That has made me feel not so alone.”