By Jasmyne Ray

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in four students has a diagnosable illness, yet 40 percent don’t seek help.

After dealing with symptoms for a number of years, senior communication studies major, Mollie Boynton, was officially diagnosed with major depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD) when she was 19.

“I’d heard of things like depression and bipolar disorder before, but I hadn’t heard of borderline personality disorder,” Boynton said, “And it was a learning experience because it comes with its own special set of rules that I hadn’t even considered.”

Boynton has been able to manage her illness with the assistance of a psychiatrist and therapist, along with support from her husband. However, negative stigmas surrounding mental illnesses (thinking that no one will understand, that it’s just “a phase,” etc.) are the main reason some students don’t ask for help. UM’s director of Counseling Services, Josh Miller, understands why.

“It’s really easy to get caught up in ‘not everyone is going through this,’ or ‘I’m weird,’ or ‘I’m abnormal,” Miller said. “But I would tell you, you’re normal.”

Issues Miller sees students coming in with range from everyday college problems to more significant mental health issues. He encourages any student struggling to come into the offices to see a counselor on staff.

Finals are coming up next week and as important as it is to prepare for exams, you also have to make time for yourself. Here are some ideas on how to de-stress:

  • Taking an occasional break from studying keeps you from exhausting yourself and helps you retain the information better
  • Put down the RedBull and Monster’s and pick up a bottle of water
  • Take time out for yourself each day
  • Try to get eight hours of sleep a night
  • Think positive

To find out more about UM’s counseling services department, visit their page on the university website here. For information on mental illnesses, along with ways to find support, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness website.

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