Mental & Emotional Health Wellbeing

"There is no health without mental health; mental health is too important to be left to the professionals alone, and mental health is everyone's business. - Vikram Patel."?

Mental health refers to the well-being of an individual on the emotional, behavioral and cognitive fronts. An individual's mental health affects their everyday life as it influences their feelings, decides their reactions, determines the quality of their social interactions, and their ability to perform regular tasks. This applies to children, adolescents and adults equally.?

Becoming a college student, for any child, comes with a mix of responsibilities, freedom, peer pressure, the stress of competition, a host of new opportunities and a chance to explore the world and acquire new experiences. Many students move away from their homes, leaving behind familiar territory, friends and family to pursue higher studies or professional courses. It can be a very emotional and difficult time for them, in addition to all the other pressure they experience. For example, a young student who has recently moved to a new city faces various challenges like language barriers, adapting to food and cultural differences, a loss of companionship, having to make new friends and the added responsibilities of managing their life, finances and studies. Though it makes for a fantastic learning experience and adds value to the student transforming them into independent and responsible individuals, it also affects their mental health. If an individual is in tune with their mental needs, takes steps to manage their stress and practices relaxation, then they are not too affected, but for those who do not, it can be a very harsh learning experience.?

Hence, students must maintain their mental health and invest in their well-being. An individual's stable emotional, behavioral and cognitive state translates to enhanced learning and creative capabilities, resilience development, increased productivity, holistic growth, positive social interactions, and an overall optimistic approach to life. Students can adopt a few healthy practices to manage their mental health, like undertaking activities that allow their creative juices to flow, maintaining an everyday routine, practicing mindfulness, investing time in relaxing, and allowing their mind time to recuperate.

Your health, mental and physical health should always be your topmost priority.

Coach Nasir Shaikh (ICF - PCC)