Mental Health, Stress & Survival
Let's Talk Honestly
College is sold as "the best years of your life." For some, it is. For many, it's also:
- Stressful
- Confusing
- Lonely sometimes
- Overwhelming often
Both can be true. Acknowledging struggle doesn't mean you're failing.
Common Mental Health Challenges
Academic Stress
- Exam anxiety
- Assignment overload
- Fear of failure
- Comparison with toppers
Social Anxiety
- Fear of judgment
- Difficulty making friends
- Imposter syndrome
- FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
Personal Issues
- Family pressure
- Financial concerns
- Relationship problems
- Identity questions
Serious Concerns
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Substance issues
- Thoughts of self-harm
Warning Signs
In Yourself
- Persistent sadness (weeks, not days)
- Loss of interest in everything
- Sleep issues (too much or too little)
- Appetite changes
- Isolation from everyone
- Difficulty concentrating
- Thoughts of harm
In Friends
- Sudden personality changes
- Withdrawal from activities
- Drop in academic performance
- Substance use increase
- Talk of hopelessness
- Giving away possessions
- Goodbye-like statements
What You Can Do
Self-Care Basics
- Sleep: 7-8 hours (non-negotiable)
- Exercise: Even 20 minutes helps
- Eating: Regular meals, less junk
- Hydration: Water, not just tea/coffee
- Sunlight: 15 minutes daily
- Social: Talk to at least one person
Stress Management
- Break tasks into smaller chunks
- Pomodoro technique for studying
- Physical activity as stress relief
- Creative outlets (music, art, writing)
- Limiting social media during stress
- Saying no when overwhelmed
Building Resilience
- Journaling (even 5 minutes)
- Gratitude practice
- Mindfulness apps (Headspace, Calm)
- Talking about feelings
- Accepting imperfection
- Learning from setbacks
Getting Help
On-Campus Resources
- College counselor (usually free)
- Student wellness center
- Professors you trust
- NSS mental health initiatives
- Peer support programs
External Resources
- iCall: 9152987821
- Vandrevala Foundation: 1860-2662-345
- AASRA: 9820466726
- Private therapists (affordable options exist)
- Online therapy (BetterHelp, etc.)
When to Seek Help
- If self-care isn't working
- If daily life is affected
- If symptoms persist over weeks
- If you have thoughts of harm
- If someone asks you to get help
Helping Friends
Do's
- Listen without judgment
- Ask directly about feelings
- Offer to accompany them to help
- Check in regularly
- Take mentions of harm seriously
Don'ts
- Don't dismiss their feelings
- Don't try to "fix" them
- Don't share their struggles without permission
- Don't make it about yourself
- Don't give up after one attempt
The Stigma Reality
Mental health stigma exists in India. Here's how to navigate:
- You don't have to announce your struggles
- Find a trusted few to confide in
- Getting help is strength, not weakness
- Your struggles don't define you
- Language matters—avoid using conditions as insults
Exam Season Survival
The high-stress period:
- Start early (really, it helps)
- Sleep before exams (all-nighters rarely work)
- Eat properly (brain needs fuel)
- Take breaks (study-break ratio)
- Limit caffeine (anxiety trigger)
- No comparison during prep
- After exams: disconnect, recover
Balance Is Everything
You can be:
- Ambitious AND kind to yourself
- Hardworking AND resting
- Struggling AND succeeding
- Happy AND having bad days
It's not either/or. It's and.
Your mental health is not separate from your success—it's the foundation. Take care of yourself. You matter more than any grade.