HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Mental Health, something that was once a “taboo” subject, has become a commonality amongst college students. According to Dr. Blaco in a 2008 study, 1 in 2 (50%) of college students struggle with severe anxiety and depression, while only 25% receive care. 3 out of 5 adults (60%) also struggle with anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, these numbers have not improved since the study, and have gradually become worse since the 2020 lockdown.  

Fortunately for today’s society, receiving help is ten times easier. In honor of World Mental Health Day (October 10th) we will look at the best ways to improve our mental health with tips and tricks that are possible for a full-time (or part-time) college student.  

First things first, what you eat actually has a role in your mental health. Inside our bodies, our GI tract contains billions of bacteria that can produce chemical substances that send messages to our brain. A healthy and nutritious diet can help create positive dopamine rushes, rather than mood swings and what we describe as “an icky feeling.” However, eating healthy is not easy, and not always cheap either. Luckily, we have a food pantry right on campus that often has soups, crackers, and similar goods that will help your stomach feel better than junk food. They even have a request form on the MHCC website. Additionally, a YouTuber, @letsKWOOWK, has countless video recipes that are cheap, healthy, and quick, specifically designed for college students.  

Secondly, Mt. Hood offers free counseling to its students. On the website, under the “College Services”tab, you will see “Career Planning & Counseling Center” Here you will find counseling and job resources. You can book an appointment to meet one-on-one with a counselor, that is completely confidential, and did I mention free? You can even email them directly at: [email protected].  If you would prefer to meet with a larger group, this year there is a Mental Health Club that focuses on improving mental health on campus.  It’s fairly new, so we don’t have a whole lot of information, but you can contact [email protected] to learn more.  

Lastly, the biggest way to improve mental health is what we allow in our thoughts. Let’s be honest, our brains are odd. To us it’s a vast never-ending thought bubble that sometimes becomes overflowing with the chronic “What if…” It can be extremely hard to ignore or “turn” these thoughts off, especially for those diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and OCD. However, a direct study has linked that the majority of these thoughts come from trauma and bad habits. To stop these thoughts, follow these three steps: One, ask yourself: “What is the worst possible thing that could happen?” By doing so you can stop the reruns of repetitive thinking. Two, ask yourself: “What can I do right now?” This can help your brain know you are in control of your situation. Three, ask yourself: “What is the best possible outcome?” By doing so, we can look at the positives, and stay optimistic. While this might not be easy, it could have the best outcome. Starting small and practicing can help turn this trick into an everyday habit.   

No matter who you are, you are always welcome on campus. If you are struggling, please take advantage of these resources. Reach out to someone, you are not alone, none of us are. We here at the Advocate care for each and every one of the students at MHCC, we live by our motto “for the students, by the students.”  And although World Mental Health Day has passed, we can always make strides towards improvement.