March 7, 2016, by Words on Words

“Get over it” – attitudes towards personal wellbeing

This blog post was written by final year student, Una Kunhya, from the School of English.

Currently, I am on the Exploring Health Communication module and we have been looking at doctor-patient interactions. There have been various instances where patients have come into GP surgeries feeling down, depressed, or even suicidal. Their reasoning for “being down” ranged from being unemployed to family problems. Not once, however, did I see a doctor say to them “get over it” and get a job. Or “get over it” and ignore your family issues. So if a doctor doesn’t say it, why should a friend say it to me, when I am having a crisis about work, jobs, or life in general?

Now it may look from the outside that I’m simply complaining about university work and job applications, but people sometimes forget the bigger picture. To give two examples, I spent my summer holidays in Nottingham and although I loved the job I was doing here I found living alone in Lenton a lonely experience, with my friends having returned home for the holidays. Although my bubbly housemates soon returned and helped to make the house feel homely again, it still sometimes reminds me of those lonely days over the summer. More recently, a school friend of mine passed away. Aged 20 it is something I never thought I would have to experience so soon. I remember returning to Nottingham from his memorial service on the same day as our house Christmas meal. The juxtaposition of emotions was intense and something I probably didn’t address properly because I thought the right thing to do was to bottle things up – to “get over it” –  and get on with life.

What I really want to highlight in this blog is that your mental health is SO important, especially during final year when there are more intensive deadlines, job applications, and preparations for life after university. Everyone needs to know that it is okay to have a cry now and again, or take a few days off. I think we all need to remember that 15 years ago we were learning to read and write and soon we’re coming out of university into the wide world – that’s daunting!

For all students out there, just remember that there are people there for you, whether friends, family, or someone at the university itself. You can always speak to your personal tutor or year tutor about any problems and the SU provides a counselling service. I hope you all look after your mental health whilst at university and keep in mind that there are lots of options for seeking support.

I would like to dedicate this to Rio who would always put others before himself and would want us to look after ourselves. To all the final year students, keep powering through. We can do it.

Una Kunhya

[Featured image from: http://www.itsamessylife.com/blog/2014/8/18/motivational-monday-making-time-for-yourself]

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