Talking Mental Health with Sara Corcoran
Mental health is a vital component in everybody’s life. It is interlaced in the structure of our body and mind. However, mental health can often be diminished and disregarded when tedious and demanding tasks encompass our lives. The truth is that you cannot function if your mental health is not functioning alongside you. Therefore, I interviewed Lakehead’s mental health and wellness coordinator, Sara Corcoran, to inform students of the support that Lakehead has to offer to start off the school year!
What does mental health mean to you?
“Mental health, to me, means emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Moreover, it is the overall wellness of how we think, regulate our emotions, and connect with others. Mental health is something we all have. It is also something that changes over time regarding how we are feeling. Ultimately, it is something that we have to be continuously working on.”
Why is prioritizing our mental health important?
“It is a vital part of our overall well-being. Being a student comes with various challenges; however, when we prioritize our mental health, we can better manage adversities and flourish in all aspects of our lives.”
How can students prioritize their mental health?
“Mental health looks different for everyone, which means that how we prioritize it will also look different. A good place to start is by prioritizing self-care, which is not just the conventional bubble bath and fuzzy socks. It really means setting aside time for things that contribute to your overall well-being even if they may be hard. This can either be getting enough sleep, scheduling some time for movement, meal prepping to fuel the body and brain, or filling your cup, such as doing things you enjoy. These strategies are interconnected and are fulfilling to our overall well-being and mental health. They are not just healthy; they are a necessity. It is imperative to cultivate time out of your day for YOU.”
What resources do we have on campus?
The WellU key: “The WellU Key is an online resource hub for Lakehead students. It has countless mental health resources, including a mental health check-in feature. Moreover, suggested resources are provided after results are received from your check-in.”
Health and counselling services: “Health and counselling services are free and they are provided online and in-person. The in-person location is on the first floor of the residence building. Requests for all health services and counselling appointments can be made through mySuccess.”
Nurse practitioner: “The nurse practitioner at Orillia is also available to help! However, you must schedule an appointment because there are no drop-ins. Students can request an appointment through mySuccess portal.”
Wellness events: “Wellness events are held throughout the school year. For example, WellU Wednesdays take place in different areas of the school. The next one is the relationships fair that will be held in the Orsi learning commons. These events help build skills and resilience to take care of your mental health. More examples include stress busters, therapy dogs, and yoga.” Learn more about events here:
https://www.lakeheadu.ca/students/wellness-recreation/student-health-and-wellness/events
Where can we go if we just need someone to talk to?
“Not everyone wants professional one-on-one counselling. However, there are also chatting services for students' mental health.
For example, Good2Talk (specific to post-secondary students), Hope for Wellness Helpline
(specific to Indigenous students), and The Trevor project (specific to LGBTQ+ students).
Moreover, Lakehead students have access to the TalkCampus App , which is a global peer support community for students. This includes talking to peers who are going through similar struggles. In addition, this is a good resource for international students who want to contact a peer student in their first language.”
Any advice to people who are currently struggling with their mental health?
“My advice is to always get the support that you are looking for sooner rather than later. This can be by exploring healthcare, accessing phone lines, or counselling. These support systems and services are here for a reason, and even though it seems like you are dealing with something small, it is good to deal with it earlier on so it does not progress into something bigger.”
Ultimately, mental health is something we should all prioritize to ensure a balanced and healthy school year!
Stay tuned for my next interview with Sara! Which will be taking place in November and will examine strategies and advice to combat academic stress.
For additional information on resources:
Student Health and Wellness contact information:
Visit the official Student Health and Wellness website to navigate resources and mental health supports, learn about upcoming events, view strategies about how you can prioritize your mental health, and more:
https://www.lakeheadu.ca/students/wellness-recreation/student-health-and-wellness