Mental health awareness has been on the rise over the past few years, no doubt in part due to the devastating effects of social isolation and trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet despite the increased awareness, many students are still struggling not only to support their peers but to stay afloat themselves.

“Go get help” sounds easy in practice. There has been a dramatic shift in how therapy is perceived in popular culture. Among younger generations especially, it is seen as a more socially acceptable practice rather than a weakness to be ashamed of. Advertisements for mental health services are abundant. There are long lists of specialty crisis hotlines plastered on flyers, student ID cards, and websites.

It is not uncommon for students to speak up about mental illness, especially in a context that relates to academic performance and stress. There is solidarity expressed in the form of social media posts, urging people to seek help, reminding them that they are not alone – so why, then, with all this seemingly endless support, do so many people still struggle?

The answer lies in a lack of understanding of mental illness. It’s one thing to offer support via a social media post that directs people to a crisis hotline, and another to make someone feel truly seen.

A common anecdotal experience for crisis hotlines is a very scripted, empty encounter that leaves people feeling more alone than anything else – but the scripts are also a necessary evil, as there is a great deal of responsibility involved in managing a crisis hotline. Volunteers need to be trained to handle intense situations, and sometimes, their well-meaning, scripted messages don’t resonate with everyone.

And that is the crux of the issue. There is an awareness of mental illness, but it is superficial in nature. There is a desire to help, but not enough knowledge as to how. Qualified medical providers can be in short supply, with excruciating waitlists. They can also be quite expensive.

Someone in the midst of a crisis, feeling alone and hopeless, might see this mental health awareness as patronizing and disingenuous, especially if they are unable to access the help they need. 

Los Medanos has a Student Wellness Program that is a step in the right direction. It provides students with short-term therapy that is quality and cost-free – but what happens when that student needs long-term therapy and support?

It is a good thing that a more empathetic approach to mental illness has entered the public consciousness, but there is still a lot more to be done to help people feel supported.