‘WE’RE NOT COPING’

By Jay McKendrey

Over the last few weeks (and years), I have been in many conversations with my fellow postgrads and one thing is clear, WE ARE NOT COPING! To put it nicely, this year has ruined us mentally.

From all the conversations we’ve had, one thing has become apparent and that’s ‘mental health’ and ‘postgrads’. Summarised with the two questions (that we fleshed out):

1. “Is mental illness a prerequisite for being a postgrad?”

2. “Is being a postgrad a mental illness in itself?”

I know it might sound a bit crazy or stupid to ponder these two questions, but amongst all the postgrads I’ve talked too, (some of you readers), there are many shared symptoms.

The main points around postgrad being a ‘mental illness’ isn’t necessarily the most accurate statement, with a more correct analysis being that postgrads and this year, has accelerated or allowed our mental health issues to present and become much more forefront.

Questioning your entire university career and choices has not been uncommon amongst us. For one whole week I questioned why I went into biochemistry and didn’t go into consumer science (social).

Did you know there is a special, quiet, study space, just for Postgrads?

It’s just here!

Upstairs on the 1st floor of Forbes, past Grounded cafe through the double doors.

I think that the easiest way to sum up postgrad-life is that I we’re overwhelmed. Remember, you are not the only one going through this! This year I have found that other friends and students are much more open to talking about their wellbeing once someone brings up the topic , which is great. Talking does help, be it with friends or staff or someone in a professional setting.

The university has a wellbeing team with amazing staff who are there to talk (for free), and Student Health has counsellors that are available to talk to (Domestic students get it for free and international students could have some costs). I personally find Erica (at Student Health) amazing to talk to, her counselling style suits me the best and she is lovely. Just remember that there are different counselling styles, so one might not be right for you, but don’t give up trying to get help, you might just have to try someone new. All the counsellors are awesome so just reach out.