Mental health comes across as a very taboo concept to many people. In plenty of households, it is not a common topic of conversation, and can even be brushed aside or forbidden.
“Mental”, defined as being “related to the mind”, is something few people can clearly see as physical, until it reaches a certain point. This is why mental diagnoses are so often misunderstood. It is hard, early on, for people to identify an issue within themselves, or within someone they care about, if it is not directly looking back at them. But if they are educated and aware of the signs, it is easier to catch a diagnosis in its early stages.
Anxiety and depression are the most commonly talked about mental health issues, but only addressing them leaves a variety of mental health issues unheard of, and those with a diagnosis other than anxiety or depression in the dark. Diagnoses can vary from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Postpartum Psychosis, Borderline Personality Disorder, addiction, antisocial personality disorder, and countless more. Many of these diagnoses either fall under the anxiety and depression umbrellas or have similar symptoms. All of them, however, require different treatments and attention.
October 10, 2024, is the official World Mental Health Day. In honor, MCLA hosted a World Mental Health Day Resource Fair in Freel Library from 1 pm to 4 pm. Tables with resourceful flyers and brochures were set up around the library, and hosts also gave out smoothies, stress balls, and coloring pages.
The goal was not only to promote and spread awareness on the topic of mental health, but to offer students resources and referrals, and to remind them that they are not alone.
This event was hosted by the Gender and Sexuality Center, bringing light to the connection between identity and mental health.
Madeleine Adolph, a Smith College alum, was recently hired as MCLA’s Health Promotion Specialist. She said about the resource fair: “I’m very passionate about thinking about mental health through the lens of knowing about forms of oppression and how that impacts people. Pretty much all of my friends have struggled with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. It’s pretty common nowadays, especially among marginalized groups, like the queer community.”
She elaborated on how lack of acceptance in society (as well as self-acceptance of one’s identity) regarding race, sexuality, ethnicity, etc., does a number on how a person thinks about themselves. If someone grew up feeling unaccepted in their community, or within themselves, that can welcome negative thinking and self-hatred -which can lead to a number of diagnoses or low self-esteem.
Adolph wished to leave students who might be currently struggling mentally with a few words of comfort: “You’re not alone. There are many people that feel the same way, there’s lots of resources and hotlines to call that we like to promote at the health center, and we have our wonderful therapist. I think it’s important to recognize when you need help and give yourself permission to go seek that help.”
If you or anyone you know needs support, MCLA’s Wellness Center offers free, confidential counseling services. If you are interested, call 413-662-5331 or email at [email protected]).
MCLA is also introducing new guided voicemail meditations, if you are interested, call 413-662-5544.
Additionally, if you are struggling with mental health and substance abuse, you can call the Community Behavioral Health Center (located at 334 Fenn Street Pittsfield, MA) at 800-252-0227.
