In a study done of students in 2015, 8 in 10 students responded as saying they had experienced mental health issues in the course of a year of study—and more than half of those did not seek help. Why don’t we want to talk about mental health? Why is mental health treated as different from physical health, when it is of equal importance?
We fear what others might say. We fear having others not understand. We fear being labelled as “crazy” or “weird”.
All this week, EUSA (The Edinburgh University Students’ Association) has been running it’s first Mental Health & Wellbeing Awareness Week, with a variety of events going on around campus with a focus on the Let’sTalk campaign—encouraging people to talk about mental health. To get a dialogue going and to reduce the stigma surrounding these issues.
It’s time we talk about mental health.
And remember, if you ever need someone to talk to, no matter how you’re feeling, Edinburgh Nightline is here for you every night of semester, 8pm-8am at 0131 557 4444 or online ednightline.com
—Your friend,
Nigel Thin