08 Dec Remember to Ask for Help

Remember to Ask for Help

When I initially chose to blog for my IEEC commitment, it was with the intention to write about Mental Health. With regards to the year abroad, I think it is especially important, amongst all the fun and frantic adventures, to keep in mind the importance of looking after your brain.

As far as Mental Health goes, I think it is the single most underrated topic of discussion when it comes to our general wellbeing. The fact we tend not to discuss mental health is actually detrimental to the notion of a healthy mind altogether.

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Many students that come away on the year abroad arrive without any previous encounters with mental illness, and in a way I feel that is potentially more challenging than someone like me, who anticipated a struggle long before arriving here. Following such a big change, I’m sure it provokes in many exchange students feelings of anxiety and depression, which have never been experienced before. These feelings are overwhelming for anyone who suffers at the hands of mental illness, but for students on the year abroad the intensity of these unfamiliar emotions can be difficult to understand for the first time, especially whilst trying to adjust to a completely new environment.

The purpose of this post is firstly to say that feelings of anxiety and feelings of depression are completely natural and completely human. Fluctuations in the states of our minds are normal. Considering IEEC students have to adapt to new cultures and form new friendships all at the same time, it is not surprising if you find yourself in the midst of a difficult relationship with your mind at some point whilst you’re here; this leads directly onto my second reason for wanting to write this post. If you find yourself having a hard time understanding things inside of your head, for example: why you’re behaving a certain way, why you’re suddenly nervous in social situations, or why you’re finding it difficult organise your time/concentrate, then there are many amazing resources here at SFSU that can help you through these worries.

Take a trip to the study abroad office and talk with Marilyn or Kristene. As someone speaking from experience, I can say with confidence that the staff here at SFSU want to help and are extremely understanding of any troubles you may encounter during your time here. Whilst it can seem intimidating to contact people for help, it is one of the best things you can do to help yourself get back on track. Instead of feeling like the weight of your troubles is something to be ashamed of or something you need to resolve alone, try pushing yourself to reach out.

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One of the biggest lessons you can take away from studying abroad, is learning that asking for help is imperative to sustaining a heathy mind.