Mental Health Matters By: Brylie Myers

College can be a lonely place for a lot of people.

Between the pressure to succeed academically, adjusting to living independently and trying to find a place where you belong, it is very easy to feel overwhelmed. Many college students silently carry stress, anxiety or feeling isolated, often believing they are the only ones struggling. But the truth is, mental health struggles are a common part of the college experience, and reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

This month makes this topic even more important to talk about. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. At Hardin-Simmons University (HSU), this is a time where our campus truly shines by amplifying outreach and reminding every cowboy and cowgirl that they are seen. They matter and help is all around.

I want to be honest with you, I struggle with my own mental health at times. There have been days where I have had to force myself out of bed, anxiety and depression weighing so heavily on me that I could barely breathe. I have silently questioned whether things would ever get easier. I have sat in class, physically present but mentally somewhere completely different, trying to fight back tears and hoping no one noticed.

One of the hardest feelings I have ever carried is walking around campus feeling almost invisible, even though I know a lot of people here and a lot of people know me. On the outside, I was surrounded by friends, but inside, I felt unseen, like no one really understood what I was carrying. That kind of loneliness is a lot to carry for a long time, I didn’t talk to anyone about it because I was afraid of being judged.

But what I have learned is that silence only deepens the pain. It was not until I spoke up that I realized that I am not alone. That first step was terrifying, and yet it also made me braver and gave me hope. It reminded me that I am not hopeless or invisible, that I matter to so many people, and that my story is still being written.

This, among so many other reasons, is why the community we have at HSU means so much to me. Listed below are a few helpful tools that HSU provides to all of its students.

·         Counseling Services (Moody 208) offers free, confidential support for all students.

·         Peer Mentors- provide student-to-student encouragement and can connect you to resources when you are not sure where to start.

·         The Care Team steps in during moments of crisis, offering a safe, judgement-free zone.

If you are struggling, please understand that you are not alone. Seeking help does not make you weak, it shows courage.

This September, let us use Suicide Prevention Awareness Month to remind ourselves and each other that life truly is worth living, even when it feels unbearably heavy.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Helpline, or contact HSU Counseling Services at (325) 671-2272. Help is near, hope is real and you truly do belong here.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18