By: Amani L. Jacobs
“#PreventionStartsWithMe Teaching our sons better”
According to a 2009 study by the American College Health Association, 41.9% of college students reported that they felt so depressed it was difficult to function within the last 12 months. These numbers are stark, and it is important to remember that you are not alone.
Attending a university is a stressful time in anyone’s life, fighting to maintain a social life, high grades, and extracurriculars, in addition to any other issues you may be dealing with outside of the realms of school including relationships, family issues, as well as internal battles.
It can be so difficult to trudge forward and give your best when you’re not feeling you’re best, but you have to do it. What I’ve learned during my time as a student is to never let depression win. I’ve had to give myself countless pep talks; allow for mental & emotional breakdowns, as well as just give myself time to take a step back from everything to get my mind together. But most importantly, I’ve always had to remind myself that graduation was the ultimate goal, by all means necessary.
Last year, my youngest nephew passed away one day after the start of the quarter. I remember going to my first day of classes so sure that this would be my quarter to shine, and by the time I got the news my whole world was shattered. Lack of determination set in and my grades reflected that. It became so hard to get out of bed, study or do anything that would positively affect my life. I was battling my own feelings on how to deal with losing a loved one, as well as feelings of guilt for seemingly choosing school over my family, although that was not the case, just the unfortunate circumstance that I was in.
All I could bring myself to do was sleep, which was reflected in my grades. Six weeks into the quarter I realized that by allowing myself to stay down, I was digging myself deeper into a hole. Not only was my heart broken into pieces, but my grades mirrored my feelings. I had to teach myself to make the best out of a horrible situation — to find some light, any light, especially in the dark tunnel that I was pacing in.
Be confident in yourself and practice self-love and positive self-affirmations. When you love yourself and have a strong self-image, you can handle anything that you are confronted with.”
- Amani Jacobs
The most prominent step I took during that time was attempting to channel any positive energy that I had hidden away. Only you control your state of mind, so if you allow negative thoughts space to harbor, your circumstances will never improve. In my time of weakness, I was constantly telling myself to redirect all of those negative emotions and sadness to school, into productive energy so that positivity could reflect back.
I told myself to study so much so that I wouldn’t have time to think about what was hurting me. To get myself so excited about graduation that the problems of the day seem minuscule. I had to be MY biggest hype woman, and constantly remind myself to not let any difficult situation manifest so negatively that it effects what is most important, MY education.
As important as it is to try to maintain control of your mental health, it is also important to realize that it is not a mental game. Work to schedule weekly self-care activities and relaxation to give your mind a much needed mental break. While it is helpful to attempt to pour all of your energy into your studies, it is just as important to allow yourself a period of relaxation so that you can process and sort your daily thoughts. Try to light a candle or a few incense, take a long bath with bath bombs and essential body oils; do a face mask, meditate, complete a puzzle, or relax and watch a movie. Take steps that allow both your mind and body to settle and decompress from the day; grant yourself permission to enjoy that time without worry about anything.
“Again, that feeling of being alone and not being able to do anything. There is help out there. Just reach out and ask for it.
#PreventionStartswithME”
Finally, and perhaps the most difficult to do, when trying to stay above water with your studies while battling depression is to seek help. Most universities have an abundance of resources available for students that are feeling just like you.
Talk to your school psychiatrist or psychologist, they’re there to help! Let them know what's going on, get their input on what you can do to better yourself day by day.
It's also important to realize that depression can be treated as an illness, and special accommodations can be made for you. You may be permitted extra time to complete assignments, complete exams, etc. due to your illness. Please remember that nothing is wrong with being vulnerable and expressing your struggles! The school is there to help you, and although a degree is important, your mental health triumphs all.
Amani Leona Jacobs was born in Long Beach, CA and was raised in the small town of Colton, CA. She is currently a Senior at the University of California Davis, and will earn her BS in Animal Science & Management with a specialization in Companion Animals this June.
Amani previously planned to pursue a career in Veterinary Medicine, but after learning she hates the sight of blood, has decided that her calling is in Animal Rehabilitation Therapy (focusing primarily on canines). Amani would also like to be a resource to her community in her spare time by working with the youth, and getting them excited for science careers.
Amani has interned at the Yolo County Animal Shelter assisting in animal surgery as well as behavioral modification training. Last summer Amani worked with SMASH, a program dedicated to undeserved youth interested in STEM. Amani possesses the ability to communicate with a diverse population of people from varying cultures and communities and through her work with the Black Community of Science, has also become adept to organizational planning all of which can be beneficial to an organization.
Amani is also one of the newest initiates of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc., Lambda Xi Chapter (ΛΞ) , Spring 2019 #Setaria7 #Proud2Be #DeltaGirl.