Mental Health Public Service Announcement: Anxiety

Anxiety and the Troubles it Causes for College Students

The Issue: 

Anxiety is one of the most troubling emotions a college student can experience. College can be an exciting time and gives us new opportunities to grow and learn. However, this also comes with a lot of pressure including exams, deadlines, finances, and thinking about the future. Because of this, anxiety has become one of the most common mental health challenges students face today. Overcoming anxiety is no easy task, there are times where you feel anxious for several minutes, or even an hour and you start to get desperate or emotional, wondering when that feeling is going to stop. If you don't know how to handle it, anxiety can control your life. 

The Facts:

1)    According to the American College Health Association, more than 60% of college students have reported feeling overwhelmed with anxiety, causing this to negatively impact their academic performance. This means that nearly one-third of college students struggle to focus, complete assignments, or perform well overall on exams because of anxiety, showing that it directly interferes with academic success.

Fall 2024 National College Health Assessment Reports Are Here! - ACHA

2)    A report from BestColleges found that over one-third (35%) of college students have been diagnosed with anxiety. This highlights how common anxiety is and shows that it is not just occasional stress, but often diagnosable mental health condition that requires immediate attention and support.

College Student Mental Health Statistics | BestColleges

3)    A research study published on National Center for Biotechnology Information showed that about 40-44% of college students experienced moderate to severe anxiety symptoms. This suggests that a large portion of students are dealing with anxiety levels that can significantly affect their daily functioning, not just mild or temporary stress.

Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Among Undergraduate Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic and their Use of Mental Health Services - PMC

4)   According to Young Invincibles, nearly 60% of college students reported experiencing overwhelmed anxiety. This shows that the majority of students feel intense stress at some point, which can impact their emotional health, relationships, and ability to manage responsibilities.

Mental Health Is Important - Young Invincibles

Impact on Wellness: 

Anxiety affects multiple areas of the wellness wheel and can create an imbalance in a student's overall well-being. Emotionally, students may feel constantly worried, overwhelmed, or unable to relax, which can lead to irritability and difficulty managing everyday stress. Physically, anxiety often shows up as fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, and ongoing sleep problems, which can make it harder to stay energized throughout the day. Socially, students may begin to withdraw from friends, avoid group activities, or feel uncomfortable in social settings, which can lead to isolation and a lack of support. Academically, anxiety can make it difficult to concentrate, retain information, or stay motivated, often resulting in missed assignments or lower grades. In addition, anxiety can impact decision making and time management, making students feel stuck or unproductive. Overall, anxiety disrupts balance across multiple areas of life and can significantly lower a student's quality of life if it is not properly managed. 

Two Strategies:

 

There are several strategies that can help overcome your anxiety. However, there are two main strategies everyone can use. These are Time Management and Organization and Mindfulness and Relaxation. 

Time management can help reduce anxiety by making workloads feel more manageable. For example, a student can use a planner or a calendar to break assignments into smaller steps and set realistic deadlines. This also prevents last minute stress and helps students stay organized with their schoolwork. 

Mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing or medication can help students manage anxiety in stressful situations. For instance, practicing deep breathing before a test can help calm the nerves and improve concentration, leading to a better performance academically and mentally.

One Community Agent: 

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Location: Headquarters at 4301 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22203, USA. They are also Nationwide.

Main Phone number: 703-524-7600

HelpLine: 800-950-6264

Website: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

NAMI is one of the largest mental health organizations in the United States. It provides free education, advocacy, and support groups for individuals dealing with mental health conditions such as anxiety. The organization works to raise awareness and improve access to mental health resources for communities nationwide.

Overall, anxiety is one of the most common challenges college students face today, but it often goes unnoticed or untreated. If left unmanaged, it can affect your academic performance, relationships, and overall health. However, there are ways to take control. Simple strategies like managing your time and practicing mindfulness can make a significant difference. There is always help available when you need it. Organizations like NAMI offer free resources and support to guide you. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as succeeding in school.