Anyone who knows me knows that I love talking about anxiety. Whether it is my anxiety or anxiety in general, I believe that talking about it simultaneously validates and rationalizes my worries. Anxiety is something that I’ve always had to deal with but because of that I have developed strategies for dealing with it, nearly all of which rely on having people around me. Unfortunately, just under a year ago my support structure disappeared because of the virus and I’m not alone in that fact.
Surveys found that in 2019 only 11% of adults experienced symptoms of anxiety and depression disorders compared to 41% in January 2021. This percentage reaches 56% among young adults (18-24), who are twice as likely to experience substance abuse and suicidal thoughts. Isolation is also linked to the shocking increase in unintentional opioid overdoses that have occurred over 2020 (go read my last blog).
Although discussions of mental health are becoming increasingly normalized, it can still be incredibly difficult to discuss my own mental health and even harder to ask someone else how they are doing. I took QPR (suicide prevention) training this time last year, every person who I was certified with agreed that it felt wrong and unnatural ask someone “Are you thinking of killing yourself?” These “taboo” questions have been societally deemed to be too vulnerable, but if we don’t ask them someone who is struggling may not feel they have permission to get help.
My personal anxiety-relieving solution is oversharing and talking about everything. While this works for me now, I wasn’t this forward with my emotional state until 18 months ago, so I understand that it doesn’t work for everyone. De-stressing doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all solution, but luckily there are a bevy of potential solutions. Prioritizing sleep, exercise, and self-care are three things that help to improve my mental health on a daily basis while also encouraging a healthy, happy life. Above everything else, it’s important to check in with friends and family. You never know who needs help getting out of a dark place.
MitchellGuthrie
March 17, 2021 — 9:46 am
Hey Bryce,
Thank you for exploring this topic. Mental health and personal maintenance are absolutely vital, however its importance has seemingly been put on the back burner during these trying and unusual times. As someone who has also struggled with mental illness throughout my life, I have also found it difficult to adapt to our new way of life. That said, my support system was not entirely devastated. Some others have not been so lucky. It is comforting to know that they have a reinforced network of trained help like yourself ready and able to get them through their depths.
BryceNiebuhr
March 24, 2021 — 8:07 pm
Hey Mitch,
Thank you so much for your comment. I believe that mental illness is going to be at the forefront of medical conversations in the coming decades, which will be essential in combatting the wave of mental health problems that have been bubbling to the surface over the past year. I also just have to say that I heard you speak last year (congratulations on winning), and you sharing your story played a huge role in empowering me to address some of my issues. You are an inspiration and a part of the solution, so thank you so much for being so brave and vulnerable.
VidhiDawane
April 12, 2021 — 8:28 pm
Hey Bryce,
First off, I’m so glad you’ve been able to find ways to help you cope with your anxiety! I’m sure it’s helpful, especially given our minimal interactions with people outside our ‘bubbles’ recently.
This is such an important conversation to have, and is often neglected even with loved ones. Students like yourself, writing about this, and discussing the need for mental health is the way to normalize it in the near future! I myself experienced waves of anxiety and self-doubt over this hectic term, but it is so relieving to learn I’m not alone.
Sustaining one’s mental health is just as important as sustaining our immediate surroundings, and it should be encouraged more.
Thank you so much for this!
– Vidhi 🙂
aarti kamat
April 12, 2021 — 9:02 pm
Hey Bryce! First off, thanks for being so open with your story. I know first hand how difficult it is to keep your head above water without a regular support system. Secondly, those statistics were pretty shocking to read. Although I haven’t done my own research on this, I’ve heard anecdotally that these statistics vary quite a bit within different demographics (eg. BIPOC youth). I’m really curious and frankly, anxious, about what the long term effects of this prolonged isolation will have on our generation. I’ve heard several doctors call this the ‘Tale of two pandemics” meaning that we’re going to have a huge mental health crisis once COVID’s finally done with. Ill be interested to see how governments, institutions and companies respond to this.