What is Mental Health For Students

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Dec 01, 2021 09:30 AM IST

What is mental health - Mental health refers to the psychological, emotional, and social well-being of an individual. The state of our mental health determines how we think, feel, act and interact with others. Just like physical health, the mental health of students is important for functioning at all stages of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood and ageing.

What is Mental Health For Students

Mental well-being involves the individual realizing his/her abilities, being able to cope with stressors of daily life, relating to others, making choices, and working productively for oneself as well as for the community.

Because the subject of mental health hasn’t received the same level of attention as physical health, traditionally, many people remain in the dark about what it all means and how mental health relates to them. Let’s consider the mental health definition further and see how the health of our minds matters as much as that of our bodies.

Why does mental health matter for students?

Because mental health touches every aspect of our life, it is an issue of great importance. When you pay attention to your mental health, its benefits are felt in all areas of life. It affects how you think, feel, act, and handle stress, relationships, and emergencies.

But good mental health for students doesn’t just mean freedom from mental illnesses. It also includes the ability to function to the best of your abilities and interact with others in a meaningful way. Having mental health awareness will also allow you to detect the signs and symptoms of unresolved issues. Those that have pre-existing mental health conditions may be at greater risk in an emergency or pandemic so it is even more important to talk about mental health for students in our day and age.

Mental health issues have been on the rise in the twenty-first century and the covid-19 lockdowns have only made things worse. But the collective efforts of counsellors and mental health experts have brought mental health awareness to the fore. More and more individuals are speaking up about their own struggles with mental health issues, encouraging others to follow suit and bring mental health to the same level of importance as physical well being.

Common misconceptions about mental health

One of the biggest reasons why people, even in today’s times, fear speaking up about any mental health issues they are facing, is the stigma attached to it. Despite the fact that mental health issues are as common and usual as physical health issues, there are several misconceptions which people end up believing in. For instance, a lot of people believe that mental health issues are a result of supernatural operations, or that a person who faces a mental health issue at any point in life cannot ever be a useful member of society.

However, such misconceptions are mostly unfounded. Mental health conditions are just as prevalent as physical illnesses and they don’t always make someone incapable of work. These include mental health common disorders like depression, ADHD, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, etc. To know more about the workings of the mind and the origin of mental health conditions, there is a garden variety of courses on mental health and psychology that you can pursue.

These myths and misconceptions are some of the biggest hurdles to increasing mental health awareness in the world today. We can move away from them only if we take an empathetic and scientific view of mental health for students, rather than one of fear.

Mental health should never be taken lightly. One should take the necessary action as soon as the mental health signs of dysfunction become apparent.

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How to improve mental health for students

There are a variety of things that one can do to improve the mental health of students. These include, but are not limited to:

Have a positive outlook- Assuming a positive outlook is something that one can do at any given stage. Staying positive doesn’t mean that you don’t feel negative emotions, but instead learn to recognize them, process, and accept them, and substitute the negatives with the positives wherever possible.
Practice gratitude- Practicing gratitude is another way to open yourself up to positivity and mental well-being. Think about 3 things you are grateful for each day, keep a gratitude journal, and go on simple walks appreciating the nature around you.
Exercise and meditate- Exercising and meditating regularly brings the mind and body back in sync, and are definite mental health solutions that one can start incorporating in one’s life today.
Work on your hobbies- Developing hobbies is yet another surefire way of improving one’s state of mental being as it gives us purpose and skill outside of work; while spending time with others allows us to share our thoughts and feelings and to extend ourselves beyond our comfort zones. All these things are but mere examples of the number of things that one can do and the habits that one can develop to improve one’s mental health.

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Career options in mental health

There is a growing need for mental health experts, counsellors, and psychologists in our society. As mental health awareness rises, both government and private organizations are hiring psychologists to assist their employees to bring the best out of them.

If you are interested in a career in mental health, you may choose to become a psychologist and practice in clinical or non-clinical settings. For this, you would be typically required to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology, followed by a master’s in a specialisation like clinical psychology, counselling psychology, etc. To practice as a clinical psychologist, you would further need to pursue an M. Phil and then seek a license from the RCI. You may choose to work in hospitals, mental health clinics, rehabilitation centres, schools, and so on.

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Mental health for students is as important as their physical health, and should never be ignored or not given priority. If at any point you feel that you are going through emotions or feelings which you are unable to understand and need help to process, do not hesitate to share with people you are close to. If required, seek help from professional psychologists. When we do not hesitate to approach doctors for physical health issues, we should be equally open to seeing counsellors for mental or emotional discomfort. Striking the right balance between the mind-body-soul creates a happy individual.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do you define mental health?

The mental health definition refers to the psychological, emotional, and social well-being of an individual. The state of our mental health determines how we think, feel, act and interact with others.

2. Why is mental health important?

Mental health affects all aspects of life, from emotional regulation to psychological and social well-being. If mental health isn’t in good shape, it becomes much more difficult to relate to others, handle stress, or make meaningful decisions. If left unchecked, the deteriorating mental health can wreak havoc in our lives as well as the lives of those related to us.

3. How do I know if my mental health is OK?

Your mental health is in good shape if you feel a sense of belonging, understand that fluctuations and changes in your mental health are natural, you have healthy relationships, you’re able to work productively, and are able to cope with the circumstances of your life.

4. What is normal mental health?

Normal mental health involves being able to cope with the daily stressors of life, relating to others, working productively for oneself and society and realizing your potential in life. Though most of us may not be able to ace all these aspects of life, as long as an individual is taking care of three of these things, their mental health is considered to be normal.

5. What are the 7 main mental disorders?

Some of the mental health common disorders include mood disorders (bipolar disorder, depression, etc.), anxiety disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, PTSD, and substance abuse disorders.

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