The Mental Health of Honors Students

By Nora Kolsky

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During March, I conducted a short 10-question survey called the “UHP Mental Health Survey” (very creative title, I know), in order for me to get a sense of the general mental state of Honors students this semester. After receiving answers from several Honors students, I assessed the data in order to interpret the status of the participant’s overall mental health. These are the most significant findings:

1. Most of those surveyed experience stress due to homework relatively often, with four participants saying that they experienced it every day.

2. The majority of participants did not experience anxiety symptoms more than sometimes, and ⅔ of the participants do not experience depression symptoms more than sometimes. 

3. The answers for how often participants got 7 or more hours of sleep varied widely.

4. All but 3 participants said that they never or rarely spoke about their mental health with their loved ones.

5. Almost half of the participants said they were unlikely to reach out to loved ones for aid with their mental health.

The results of this survey indicate that some Honors students may benefit from receiving advice for how to improve their mental state, as well as hearing the reasons for why reaching out to a counselor and/or loved ones for support is beneficial in times of hardship. 

A significant amount of participants expressed that they routinely experience stress because of schoolwork. Because we are rapidly nearing the end of the semester, this is not surprising or unusual. However, there are a variety of ways to lessen the toll that coursework can take on your mental health. CSULB has tutoring services, both in-person and online, and has several Supplemental Instruction courses that reinforce information learned in class. Both of these resources are helpful for relieving stress related to schoolwork, as they provide individuals with academic assistance and a support system. 

Though they were not the majority, a handful of survey participants said that they experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. If you find yourself experiencing these issues and are unsure what to do, reaching out to others, such as your friends and/or family, is a good way to start. It is important to not isolate yourself during difficult times, as that often leads to the issues becoming more severe. Having a support system is incredibly important in combatting mental health issues, as it is crucial to know you are not alone or unloved. It is also important to seek help from professionals, as they can offer informed guidance and advice. CSULB has the Counseling and Psychological Services program (CAPS) which offers emotional support for students experiencing struggles with their mental health. They offer a variety of services, such as group counseling and individual sessions, and have drop-in spaces that do not require an appointment. The CAPS office can be found at Room 226 at Brotman Hall. 

However, there are several things that you can do on your own to combat stress and maintain mental wellness. You have probably heard the advice “take a walk” or “start a journal” countless times by now, and although those activities can be helpful at times, sometimes other activities can be more beneficial. For example, scheduling regular breaks during study sessions to watch a comfort video or having one of your favorite snacks while working can reduce the mental tension related to schoolwork. Spending time with friends and making social connections also helps to boost people’s moods, as humans are social creatures and tend to benefit from the company of others.

Of course, I am not an expert on these topics, so I suggest that you do some further research if you are interested in making a change in your life to boost your mental state. Sites such as Take Space to Pause and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) are a great place to start. 

I wish you all a healthy and happy rest of the Spring semester!