Mental Health is a special category within health, but this was not the case until rather recently. Thanks to many developments in not only the field of psychology, but also in the realm of science, most people across the world, and especially students, are now focusing on mental health and giving it the proper attention and concern that it deserves.
No Longer a Soft Science
Sadly it took many centuries for philosophers to penetrate the overall acceptance of mental health as a verifiable science meriting research and funding. Thanks to many famous scientists, like Sigmund Freud, most students today recognize the importance of tracking up on their own and other’s mental health. It is being taught more in schools and more people are able to be educated on the different types.
The Stigma is Fading
Students fight hard against an unfair stigma that still lingers in not only the academic world, but also in the minds of powerful members of the media. For some reason, many continue to discount the needs for all humans, not just students, to focus on their mental health in order to prevent physical and mental diseases, but also to combat stress and to increase productivity, happiness, and brain functioning.
More students are getting involved in the media and trying to raise awareness about common and even lesser known mental illnesses. Stigmas surrounding schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder are among just a few that have a certain stigma in popular media. Students are also concerned about the portrayal of depression in our culture. Many see labels like lazy and just sad attached to the disease, when in reality it can be far more crippling than a case of the blues. The more education about these subjects are helping to relieve the popular ideas about them.
Efforts Within the Campus
There have been numerous movements championing mental health awareness, and the removal of the stigma that plagues it. One such movement is a men’s mental health awareness event called Movember which occurs each November. At this time, men grow mustaches to silently show their solidarity and recognition of how mental illness can affect men.
Silent Marches
Another popular movement on European and American campuses is the silent march, in which advocates mental health and those who have lost loved ones to mental health related illnesses and deaths. Students silently march with peaceful signs that declare their dedication to removing the stigma and increasing the awareness of mental health. This movement has encouraged advocates to dig deeper into the trenches of mental health causes, including Mindset Consulting Group which offers legal recidivism assessments, and other groups.
Until There is a Cure
We don’t know how or when society will solve mental illness, but we do know that important changes are on the horizon, and these changes are necessary for the overall development and success of humanity as a whole. The first and most necessary obstacle to overcome is combatting the unfair stigma against mental health, especially at the University.
“Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information about legal recidivism assessment or Mindset Consulting Group, contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.”
Image source:Flikr Creative Commons www.ruffrootcreative.com
