By Devi Ragesh
With the student population on a constant rise, performing under a very stressful and competitive environment and following a strict time schedule, more and more students are suffering from anxiety, depression, panic disorders, suicidal tendencies and many other debilitating disorders. Students are having a hard time managing their academic demands and maintaining a healthy and interactive relationship with their family and friends.
Ms V. a student of a reputed private engineering college in India, confided that suicides happen very commonly in educational institutions, and these are well dealt with without causing too much attention. A study conducted by the World Health Organization in 2015, shows that one out of five people in India may suffer from depression and only 10-12 percent of them seek professional help.
A common question that the young student population face is “why?” or “what is there for you to be anxious about?” A 20 year old engineering student shared that, “with the amount of stress that I deal with on a daily basis, I can’t take time to enjoy the little things in life. I remember my dad telling me, during his college days, they used to enjoy the small moments and take things on a lighter note. Thinking about the fact that what I do now, will be reflecting on my career and future, is very stressful. The stress of not being enough is real.”
A Student who was clinically diagnosed with anxiety expressed her difficulty to carry out with simple tasks, such as running errands or even getting out of bed in the morning, “I’m unable to exactly put it into words what I feel. There are days of extreme sadness and gloom when I don’t feel like doing anything. Doing simple tasks, like attending lectures or even talking to my peers derives a lot from me”. Others reported to a feeling of rootedness and inability to shoulder responsibilities and carry out duties even when they are aware of its importance. Also, one must come to the realization that it isn’t just the work and home environment, but genetics and lifestyle too that leads to a difficult mental state.
Another huge villain which comes into the picture is social media/internet. The younger student population being hooked to social media and networking sites and depending on the same for social interaction and happiness, has taken a huge toll on their mental states. While the internet has made life so much faster and efficient, it is clear that it has made people more sedentary. With the maximum being the student population hooked to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and so on, whom do we expect to be the most affected?
The lack of physical interaction and exercise has played a huge role in the state of mental health of students. Instead of communicating with one’s family, friends and others around them, they spent all their time on the social media. This in turn, gives them the illusion that others (social networking peers) are having a more ‘happening’ life or enjoying time more than them. So even though one is physically present in his surroundings, mentally he/she isn’t. A late teenager admitted that, “going through the
Instagram stories of other accounts, I feel upset, knowing that my life is not that happening.” Short temperedness and constant irritation, anxiety and so on are usual outcomes of one being overly invested in social media. Also the system and standards of education has changed over time, making it more difficult for the older generation to comprehend the academic stress that students go through and which in turn lead to a lot of problems.
However, familial support which is crucial for any individual, be it a student or not, is still at a budding stage. Rather than trying to comprehend the stress and tension of the child, parents take a different position by pressurising them further to do better. The older generation fails to understand the severity of the mental state of the younger population. This could be because of the difference in family structures, as moving into nuclear and confined families have lessened communication between members of the family.
Hence, it becomes difficult for the older generation to understand the difference in lifestyle and the stress the younger generation is subjected to. A nineteen year old university student, felt that parental negligence and the advice that ‘it is a part of growing up’ and ‘is normal to feel this way at times’, normalises this as a coming out of age process.
The outlook towards mental health and illnesses is currently undergoing a transition amongst the student population as well as amongst adults. The stigma associated towards mental illnesses in the Indian society, to speak of the least, is undergoing a gradual but positive change. The change in perspective from considering mental illnesses as something which may not necessarily be even considered as an illness, and could be dealt by oneself has changed.
Although it took quite a while, most of the young population has come to the realisation that mental illnesses are just like any other physical illness and also requires treatment and care. Majority of the adult population is yet to be comfortable with the idea that one’s mind and body are connected, and proper medical intervention can physically improve your mental condition.
A positive note towards the issue in educational institutions is the gradual awareness that students are undergoing. Students are getting aware of mental illnesses and how to seek help in such situations. The student population have started to address the issue of mental illnesses through student-initiated events and programmes. They are willing to come forth and address whatever they are suffering from and talk about it.
Most Universities and colleges have appointed counsellors in their institutions to tackle the same. Recently, a well- known University in Kerala took steps to conduct a student induction programme, to ensure that the new students are familiarised with the surroundings and environment of the campus and are made aware of their rights in the campus. How far this step would prove to be useful is yet to be found out, but nevertheless, this is a right step towards ensuring healthy and a fruitful learning experience.
It is safe to say that the younger population is getting more at ease with sharing their issues rather than keeping them under cover. A twenty one year old undergraduate student felt that his peers are more comfortable with talking about their feelings and mental state more openly, “Atleast now we have friends who insist that we seek help if we are not well or going through problems. This isn’t much of a taboo anymore.”
With the lack of awareness that goes into mental health, the situation only becomes worse. Diverting a little; moving on to an older segment of the population, how many employers and companies have policies that assist the employees in their state of mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, panic disorders and others? Is there a provision to apply for a paid sick leave for someone with such a difficulty? The same can be applied for colleges and universities. Would these educational institutions provide any relief for the students suffering from the same? Adequate measures have to be resorted to after extensive studies being carried out in various fields to identify the areas which are still in the dark.
Considering mental illnesses as one solid entity, and not as something with many hierarchies is also problematic. Many are unable to distinguish between mild issues to severe disorders which can handicap an individual for a lifetime, if not dealt with at the right time. These milder illnesses are not considered important or thought of as requiring help. How many of us visit the doctor for a common flu whereas how many for stress or insomnia? Mental illnesses are yet to be legitimized into the category of common illnesses. Those not plagued by such disorders should be more empathetic and compassionate towards fellow beings.
The positive change that can be said to be as of now, is the awareness that the student population have seemed to gain. They are more aware of the importance that must be given to mental illnesses just like any other physical illnesses. It also requires treatment and medication when necessary and is not something to be dealt on your own. With educational institutions coming forward with student events and other programmes, more importance is being given to the issue. Several hospitals have also included mental health helpline numbers which encourages the students and the younger population to be more comfortable with the idea of seeking help.
To be building a successful life, it is important to cater to one’s mental needs too. Seeking help will only improve one’s quality of life and help them lead a more productive and content life. For that, the society still needs to normalise mental illnesses and address these issues more clearly and with conviction.
