Life is already short, country music singer Chase Bryant reminded an Akron audience on Wednesday afternoon. Don’t make it any shorter with permanent solutions to temporary problems.
“No, it’s not going to be fun — no, it’s not a walk in the park,” said Bryant, the keynote speaker at the Mental Health Awareness Luncheon held on the University of Akron’s campus. He shared his struggles with mental health, telling the crowd through tears that he once attempted suicide.
“It’s something I’m going to have to work on continuously” he continued. “But I’m here today, and I’m going to be here tomorrow.”
The event was co-sponsored by the County of Summit ADM Board and the university’s School of Counseling in recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day.
Bryant, the artist behind “Little Bit of You,” said his faith helped carry him through his crises, and urged audience members to find something to anchor themselves to. He implored them to be honest with themselves and open to talking with others about their struggles.
Bryant’s openness and willingness to communicate is one of the best ways for people to navigate mental health issues, said Juanita Martin, the executive director of the university’s counseling center.
“[Students] are encountering a lot of new life lessons, a lot of new changes in their lives,” Martin said. “So it’s not unusual that a student might feel a little stressed or express a little concern when they get started.”
Bryant was scheduled Wednesday evening to play a concert on Coleman Commons.
Bryant’s message resonates with Akron students
Martin said the start of a semester can spur anxiety and depression, especially in college freshmen.
After all, they’re dealing with a drastic change in environment and heightened responsibilities — from studies to social commitments. Others struggle to adjust to navigating a large campus without close friends.
Martin said changes baked into the beginning of a semester can be exacerbated by students stepping into adulthood and its mental and physical changes.
“This Gen Z generation, loneliness is a really big thing for that group of students,” Martin said.
This cauldron of change students enter makes it especially important to keep tabs on mental health.
“The things that we typically tend to see here really align with what we see nationally in terms of college students, in terms of major concerns,” Martin said.
The big issues students commonly face are anxiety, increased pressure around academic performance, depression and concerns around family and relationships.
Mental health: How the University of Akron services students
The university’s counseling center offers offers support — most of it free. Students experiencing mental health issues can access individual, group and telehealth therapy at no charge.
The university also offers free after-hours crisis support for students at (330) 972-7082 (press option two).
Said Martin: “Sometimes people try to pretend they’re not feeling what they’re feeling. And oftentimes that’s not helpful and it’s more helpful if people acknowledge the feelings they have and then figure out a more positive way to address them.”
Need help now? Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org (24/7). UA students can call (330) 972-7082 and press 2 after hours.
