Navigating College Life: Hank's Journey to Mental Well-Being and Support (Full Transcript)

Speaker 1: Every fall, thousands of students, like yourself, transition from their homes to school and begin the next chapter of their life. Each student is eager to achieve new goals, make long-lasting friendships, and learn more about themselves. College, like many other stages in life, can bring up new emotions and feelings. Meet Hank. Hank just moved into a new town, has settled into his first campus housing, and feels ready to begin his college career. Hank, like many other freshmen, attended an orientation and learned about his college's Well-Being Center. A couple of weeks later, Hank was busier than ever with classes, meeting new friends, and becoming active on campus. Despite being busy, Hank felt sad, had trouble sleeping, and was homesick. Hank remembered the Well-Being Center and walked there after class. Hank was greeted by a counselor, and the two began talking about how he had been feeling. The counselor assured him that what he was experiencing was normal, and reminded him that he was learning to grow on his own, which was a difficult task to accomplish. The counselor was able to give Hank some strategies to help with this major transition. Hank learned physical activity, like going to the gym, could help reduce some of his anxiety and assist with sleep. Hank also learned that a regular bedtime could help with his sleep patterns and improve his mood. Lastly, Hank learned that eating on a consistent basis would make him feel better, both physically and emotionally. Remember, learning how to manage your new lifestyle is hard, and you don't have to do it by yourself. During this time, some college students will turn to substances like alcohol and drugs to help ease their stress. Others may feel lonely, anxious, depressed, or lost. However, talking with a mental health professional will provide you with the support you need to navigate these changes together, supporting not only your mental health, but also your overall well-being.