Studying and Mental Health
- Jake K. Newell
- Sep 5, 2019
- 8 min read
This post will look at how studying/educational commitments can have an impact on mental health. Becoming a student can be a stressful experience. Whilst stress is not defined as a 'mental health problem' per se, it can lead to mental health problems such as: depression and anxiety. The relationship between the two is rather complex as one can imagine. I'll break things down as neatly as possible, starting with some of my background for context. After, I'll provide some general information and tips, before then returning to my experience of the relationship between the two. At the bottom of this post, I have included links to help address mental health issues affected by studies. I have also included a few links for prospective students (covering things to consider during the UCAS application process etc and what to look for in universities).
"It's times like this I feel I'm on the pavement, it's like my heart's so numb. Then I grab that book and turn the pages, and see how far I've come." - Hollywood Undead (Nobody's Watching)
As many of you who know me will appreciate, I've been studying pretty much my whole life. The amount of times I've been told "students have it easy" is beyond count. It is a myth. It is incredibly demeaning and very frustrating when someone claims you "have it easy" and you're struggling. Students have just as much stress and issues with mental health as others, something which is explicitly acknowledged by the NHS. For me, it really is strange to think mental health does not receive the same kind of support as physical health: it is just as important. According to Mind, 1 in 6 adults in the UK is suffering from some form of mental illness at any time. Clearly, then, this is not a small problem. Some of the specific things that, as a student, make you more susceptible to mental health problems including: your age, stress and lack of support. Importantly, a large proportion of students are under 25 and around three-quarters of adults with a mental illness have their first episode before turning 25. It is therefore crucial to have a good support network around you in any event.
I turn 27 in March. For context, this'll be my first academic year not involved in some form of studying. I did my undergraduate degree from 18-21 years old (straight after sixth form college and secondary school), before starting the Bar exams at 23 (I should say, between 21-23, I worked at the University of Essex and was employed on research projects with international implications throughout my time there, which required me to study new and complicated fields of law such as: Administrative Justice and the Law of Evidence). I started my masters degree immediately after the Bar on a part-time basis whilst also balancing court cases alongside that. As you can quickly see, I've not taken a break. I've been a bit quiet on 'A Mind Alley' recently because of my masters degree: my dissertation/thesis was due in for Monday 2nd September so I really wanted to get that done in advance of the deadline. Thankfully, it's submitted, so we just have to await on results. It's been a really stressful period, but I do enjoy learning things (showing my inner geek here!).
There are a number of ways in which mental health and studies can interact with each other. For some, studying can be directly helpful for recovering from mental illness. For others, studying is a means of developing new knowledge and skills for a particular job or career path. It is the latter set of circumstances which I'll focus on; studying can create extra pressures in such cases. These pressures can affect your mental health. If you have an existing mental health condition, this can be exacerbated by the stresses of studying. However, you should absolutely not give up. If you're reading this as a student who is struggling with mental health issues, there are ways in which you can address these problems. You do not have to suffer in silence: you may be able to get extra help and financial support while you are studying, you may find therapy helpful, or you may wish to join a student support group. All of these options are valid.
Before diving into the ways of addressing mental health and studying issues, I do want to touch on things to actively avoid. If you're feeling low or stressed, you may be tempted to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or even smoking cannabis. I would urge you to put thought into this before acting. This may have a long term impact on your mood, such as a mood slip. In turn, you'll feel worse. As per the NHS, some cannabis users can have unpleasant experiences, including: confusion, hallucinations, anxiety and paranoia. Ecstasy and amphetamines can also lead to schizophrenia, and amphetamines can induce other forms of psychosis. It is crucial to understand that any underlying mental disorder could be worsened by drug and alcohol use.
Below, I'll take a look at some of the ways you can address the stressor of studying. At this point I should mention, I've already written about the symptoms of both anxiety and depression, which you can find here.
Talking to someone you know
I think the easiest starting point with these things is always to find a confidant, someone that you can unconditionally trust and opening up to them. Alternatively, you can speak to a teacher/lecturer or a medical professional. For some universities, there is the possibility of using services provided by the student union, thus working with other students.
It is important to open up and talk to someone if your studies are being affected. Many mild mental health problems are resolved this way. This has a number of positive consequences, but of course, this varies from person to person. Firstly, you may feel an immediate sense of relief that you've been able to open up about such issues. That in itself can be helpful. Secondly, this person, once on notice, may want to keep an eye on things and check up on you should things get worse.
Personally, I've been able to build a strong group of friends who are quite open about mental health issues. On top of that, I've been able to build friendships at each stage of my studies where we've been comfortable enough to exchange stories and tips on mental health. I find having a classmate or fellow student who understands what you're going through alongside you, a really important safeguard.
'Student Minds' (Charity)
Having done some research in the past on Mind, it's quite clear they collaborate with other mental health charities, which is fantastic. One such charity is 'Student Minds', the UK's student mental health charity. I would actively encourage you to look at their website as it provides some fantastic tips and resources for students who are struggling with mental health issues. Between the two, Mind and Student Minds offer a plethora of information which is very helpful.
Uni counselling
It may be possible to use the mental health services at your university. Many colleges and most universities have a free and confidential in-house counselling service with professionally qualified counsellors and psychotherapists. It's usually possible to find the services on offer and how to make an appointment with the counselling service on the institution's website.In universities, this free service is available to both undergraduates and postgraduates.
For me personally, I was privileged enough to be able to undertake Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) at the university I studied my masters degree at: University College London (UCL). I have previously written about my therapy experiences, which can be found here. I found it the process very challenging, but, it was very rewarding. I feel I have come out of the other side a stronger person than I was prior to the process.
On top of the above services, it may be the case that you are entitled to "reasonable adjustments" such as: extra time in exams, extensions on coursework, and specialist mental health mentor support. It may therefore be worth considering seeking out such services at your institution to see whether there are facilities available to assist your needs.
Online & self-help
It may well be the case that you don't want to speak to anyone about this. That is understandable; many people do feel the same way. If this applies to you, there are plenty of online resources which are available. They contain self-help guides and activities, which allows individuals to address their problems themselves and at their own pace. In the resources at the bottom of this post, I've provided a number of links to guides and information which ought to be of assistance.
Your GP
Finally, there may be times where seeing your GP may be the best option. I have previously written about the different types of medication that can be prescribed, which can be found here. Typically, one would see their GP for more serious or longer-lasting mental health symptoms, as there may be a need for prescribed treatment or referral to a specialist.
My Experiences
For me, the issues have always been there, even from a young age now that I reflect on those experiences. For example, I've had panic attacks before so many exams, I've lost count. Most of them have resulted in me being physically ill or heavily retching before going into the exam hall. I think this issue was particularly prominent from university onwards, especially when I think back about the pressure of needing to succeed first time round in order to be a stand out for the Bar. It really isn't a pleasant experience. I've also had cases where I've gone completely blank in exams despite having things in front of me (such as the Bar exams, where candidates are able to take in notes for some exams and others are multiple choice).
Post-Bar exams, when things really kicked off, I've always maintained that a strong support network/close circle that I can trust has been essential in getting through all of the difficult times. Sometimes, it's nice to confide in people in class who understand what you're going through, but it's also nice to have people who are not involved in that subject, uni or even academia: they can provide a fresh perspective which may be helpful. During my undergraduate and research years, I have to admit, I was pretty closed off about my mental health and what I was going through. I do recall times where I had been sat in the library studying for exams and being completely unable to take anything in or even focus on the pages in front of me. The inability to take information on board on command frustrated me big time, which had an impact on every aspect of my life: eating habits, sleeping patterns and not socialising. I became completely closed off. At the time, I thought that was all part of the process. However, when I step back and take a look at the situation as a whole, I've found that it isn't normal. In hindsight, that was a terrible decision on my part. That said, it's something that I have learned from. I do encourage anyone going through something similar to not do what I did, that is to sit back and not talk about it. There are people who can help.
As usual, I'll round off with some links and resources on the topics of education and mental health, which I hope prove helpful:
Remember: you are a beautiful human being. You are loved. You matter. You have so much good that you can offer this world.
Until next time,
J x
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