Reflection
Mental illness is a topic that is oftentimes ignored and understated in society. Even though awareness is spreading, the severity of the situation is overlooked, and misinformation has become prevalent. Mental health is an important facet of daily life, and this project has helped me develop a deeper understanding for these illnesses and those who suffer from them.
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While researching information for this project, I discovered the volume at which mental illness affects the population, specifically college students. This has opened my eyes to the dire need college campuses have for mental health resources and advocates. I was led to question the accessibility and availability of these services for students and what colleges are doing to ensure their campuses are safe environments for those suffering from mental health and providing them opportunities to become healthier. I know from experience that it is difficult to arrange short-notice appointments at the University of Cincinnati’s Counseling and Psychological Services due to the limited slots available.
Before this project, there were certain illnesses I did not know were as common as they really are. Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are very serious mental illnesses that often cause life-long consequences including low bone density, heart defects, and reproductive problems. To learn that about twenty percent of college students have suffered from an eating disorder at some point in their life was shocking and alarming. There is virtually no societal support for those with eating disorders, and they gain more negative stigma than other mental illnesses.
Stigma is one of the leading reasons why students do not seek out help. This is the reason why so many students with a diagnosable mental illness don’t voluntarily search for treatment or counseling. To solve this issue, we would have to look at our society in its entirety to determine what factors contribute to the negative connotations associated with mental illnesses and why this makes it harder for those with mental illnesses to recover. If we can remedy how others perceive mental health and those who suffer from an illness, we can ultimately make it easier for them to seek treatment, therefore reducing the population of people with mental health problems and ensuring that future generations are healthier. Although it is difficult to see a psychologist at CAPS, it is reasonable to assume that this means that high numbers of students seek their services, which speaks well to how UC perceives mental illnesses.
My personal experiences with mental illness have made me passionate about the subject. This project has allowed me to develop a greater understanding of the topic and the best ways to search for a solution.