Being intentional Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Mental health warning signs By Anna Pope It’s been four weeks since socially-distanced school started, and it feels like it’s been four months. College is overwhelming. This causes students to overlook things in their personal lives. Especially when it comes to noticing mental
health warning signs in others and themselves. Dr. Joseph Dunnigan, Coordinator for Student Counseling Services at Oklahoma State University, said there are many warning signs depending on the individual. Broadly, these signs can include abnormal or extreme changes in behavior and emotional expressions. They can also be things not normally as-
sociated with warning signs, such as declarations of irritation, sadness, confusion and if someone is unkempt or messy. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a major shift in how universities function. With most meetings held online rather than in person, students feel a lessened sense of community as there’s more
Sasha Freemind Social distancing is starting to affect student's mental health in negative ways that psychologists are only starting to realize.
isolation than usual. During the COVID-19 pandemic, stressors are the same for some students, but many are different. Not only are students dealing with stepping into a new phase of life and financial burdens but also a general lack of communication because of the pandemic. Dunnigan said whether over social media, video chat or safely meeting in person, social-distancing causes students to be more intentional about how and if they interact with other people. “I think it’s important to do everything you can to stay connected to others,” Dunnigan said. “Not just chit-chatting about unimportant things but really asking ‘How are you?’ or ‘Are you managing well?’ or ‘Are you having any stressors?’ and ‘Are there any things about this that are difficult for you?’ So, really not being afraid to ask some of those questions.” Reaching out to someone may seem like it takes more effort
now, but conversations about someone’s well-being could be lifesaving. Dunnigan said communication about mental health normalizes and reduces the stigma of struggling with self-harm or thoughts of suicide When a person is in or finds someone else in mental distress, there is a community of people and resources to help. “Be willing to offer support and help to that person, but then don’t feel like you have to deal with this alone,” Dunnigan said. “It’s very important to bring others in.” Having other people help does not always mean going to therapy. Depending on the situation or person, reaching out to members of a religious community, friends and family can help foster better mental health and overall well-being. entertainment. ed@ocolly.com
Column: My experience with COVID-19 By Claire Boomer Editor’s note: This personal account was written by the photo editor of the O’Colly and is her personal experience. COVID-19 is different for everyone and should not be judged solely on this account.
this school year, I assured myself that I would do everything I could to protect myself from COVID-19. I bought hand sanitizer for my backpack and my car, I wouldn’t crowd in classrooms or the hallways of different buildings. I already told my family that I wouldn’t be coming home till Christmas because I didn’t have the ability to quarantine before I came home for Thanksgiving. This wasn’t something I wanted to do, but something I felt like I had to do to keep my family safe.
There’s a strange amount of guilt that comes with knowing you’ve caught COVID. Even though I felt like I was doing everything I could and being as responsible as I could in a college environment, when I found out I had COVID, I felt like I had committed a crime. Going into Continued on page 3
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