Vargas 1

Miguel Vargas

Prof. Mirchandani

ENC 1101

April 15th, 2024

Project 3: Multimodal Advocacy Project

Minds Matter Too (https://mindsmattertoo.weebly.com )

Welcome to Minds Matter Too. A dedicated space for mental health support tailored to

college students. Created to provide you with resources, articles, tools, and a supportive

community and stress management techniques to self-care strategies, we're committed to

empowering you to thrive during your college journey. Welcome aboard as we embark on this

journey toward better mental well-being together.

This website was created because as a fellow college student and somebody who has

struggled with their mental health since high school, I wanted to create a place that I feel like

someone like me or somebody going through the same struggles could use to better their mental

health. I wanted to create an environment that is welcoming for new people and will provide you

with all the basic information and techniques a college student could need. On top of that, it was

also very important to provide these fellow students with useful sources and to give out a

platform for those whose college lacks a mental health department.

With the development of this website, the goal is to provide trustful resources and

techniques to eliminate these problems and create awareness of these problems in college

students. It is also aimed as one of the goals in mind to combat these struggles and destigmatize

them. The website will aim to create a user-friendly platform that seeks to promote self-care
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practices and connect students with services that will help their needs. This will be done by

providing tailored information to the very unique needs of these college students.

College students face numerous challenges that impact their mental health, including

academic stress, adjusting to new environments, managing finances, balancing responsibilities,

social pressures, homesickness, loneliness, and uncertainty about the future. These factors create

a complex landscape where students often struggle to maintain their mental well-being.

 College students usually encounter enormous academic pressure that includes following

high school expectations to perform at the same level, heavier workloads, and more

challenging standards. Transitioning to college can be intimidating since students need to

adapt to completely new environments leading to the creation of stress, anxiety, and lack

of feelings

 While in college, students often find themselves with feelings of social isolation,

particularly the ones that aren't close to home for the first time or those having a hard

time making connections with other students. Factors like living independently for the

first time, adapting to new environments, and navigating different social dynamics can

play a huge role in loneliness and can heavily impact mental health.

 The college includes multiple fees to be a part of it. Students often find themselves

having to worry about tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs on top of scholar

preoccupations. These things can be a very high source of stress for them and their

families while also worrying about student loans, part-time jobs, or financial aid that will

add another level of pressure for them leading to their mental health.

 Even though mental health has become much more known nowadays, issues on campuses

still come up with students often facing blocks when trying to access resources and
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support. Long wait periods for counseling services, a scarcity of mental health specialists,

the stigma associated with mental illness, and a lack of understanding about available

options can all discourage students from getting treatment when they need it,

compounding mental health difficulties.

"Mental health...is not a destination, but a process. It's about how you drive, not about where you

are going." -Noam Shpancer Psychology professor at Otterbein College y and a current

psychologist in Columbus, Ohio.

College students have access to resources like on-campus counseling, support groups,

workshops, online mental health guides and apps, as well as peer mentoring programs. Seeking

help from professors, advisors, or healthcare professionals is encouraged. Engaging in activities

like exercise and mindfulness can also support mental well-being. These resources help students

address mental health challenges and foster a healthier campus community.

 Taking care of your emotional well-being is key to managing your mental health in

college. One of the most outstanding details that college students fail at is getting enough

sleep since sleep deprivation can lead to stress and a change of mood. Eating a well-

balanced diet is another very important detail. By eating well-balanced meals you'll

provide your body with the nutrients they need. Another very important aspect is doing

exercise regularly, since is a way of reducing stress and improving mood. Additionally,

practice relaxation techniques such as heavy breathing, or progressive muscle relaxation

which will help you reduce anxiety and keep your mind at peace.

 Seeking a support group or support network is crucial for coping with these challenges of

college life. Surrounding yourself with friends, family, and mentors whom you trust and

can confide in and sharing your thoughts and feelings with others can provide emotional
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validation, perspective, and encouragement. Don't think twice when reaching out. Reach

out to your campus services or mental health hotlines if struggling. Additionally,

counselors can offer guidance, support, and coping strategies that are tailored just for

you.

 While college can be a very stressful place, learning to manage stress effectively can lead

to preventing negative impact on your mental health. You should practice management

techniques such as breaking larger tasks into smaller ones, planning out your day ahead

of time to avoid being overwhelmed setting realistic expectations for yourself, and

celebrating your accomplishments. You should also be dedicating time to your hobbies

whether is drawing, or practicing a particular sport. Finding a balance between your

responsibilities in college and your hobbies will help you obtain a healthy mental state.

 By educating yourself on the topic of mental health, you can be recognized if you or any

of the people around you are in need of help. Learning to deal with issues such as

anxiety, depression, and stress as well as identifying their symptoms will help you

understand how to deal with them. You should also explore different coping techniques

that will help you manage your mental health with much more ease. Additionally,

familiarize yourself with mental health resources that are available on your campus, such

as counseling services, support groups, and available workshops. On top of that stay

informed about hotline, crisis intervention services, and online resources that are

available to access in times of need.

Techniques and mechanisms, as mentioned before, are spectacular ways to deal with mental

health struggles and should be implemented in their everyday life. Exercises like the "5 3 7"

method, opposite to emotional thinking, the five senses to ground oneself, mental reframing to
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shift your perspective on stress emotional awareness to acknowledge and address feelings, and

recognizing the strength and persistence needed to combat mental illness. By utilizing these

approaches, students should be able to manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-

being, empowering them to navigate these challenges with much more easily and confidently.

Contact the mental health hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

My name is Miguel Vargas. I was born in Panama in 2004 and I've lived most of my life

there. I’ve studied in Panama for most of my education transferring to a school in the U. S my

last two years of high school. I graduated in 2023 and have been a part of FSU since the fall of

said year. My hobbies include sports, music, and playing the guitar. I plan to continue my studies

at FSU aiming to graduate with an Industrial Engineering.

I decided to create a website for college students dealing with mental health due to a

combination of personal experience, awareness of the issue's prevalence, and a passion for

helping others. Recognizing the increasing significance of mental health concerns among college

students, I saw an opportunity to fill gaps in accessibility and awareness by providing a

centralized hub for information, resources, and support.

Works Cited
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student mental wellbeing: the student perspective. Higher Education Research &
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https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2019.1576596
Hatton-Bowers, Holly, Et Al. “Risks And Resources For College Students’ Mental Health:

ACEs, Attachment, And Mindfulness.” Journal Of American College Health, Vol. 71,

No. 5, 2023, Pp. 1510–21, Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/07448481.2021.1942007 .

Kitzrow, Martha Anne. "The Mental Health Needs of Today's College Students: Challenges and

Recommendations" Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, vol. 41, no. 1,

2003, pp. 167-181. https://doi.org/10.2202/1949-6605.1310 .

Moeller, Julia, Et Al. “Risk And Protective Factors Of College Students’ Psychological Well-

Being During The COVID-19 Pandemic: Emotional Stability, Mental Health, And

Household Resources.” AERA Open, Vol. 8, 2022, Pp. 233285842110657-,

Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/23328584211065725 .

Reframe Your Negative Thoughts: Change How You See the World 17/30 How to Process

Emotions. YouTube, uploaded by Therapy in a Nutshell, Jun 3, 2021,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsOKrCVs6WM.

Sharp, William, Et Al. “Mental Health Education: An Evaluation Of A Classroom Based

Strategy To Modify Help Seeking For Mental Health Problems.” Journal Of College

Student Development, Vol. 47, No. 4, 2006, Pp. 419–38,

Https://Doi.Org/10.1353/Csd.2006.0051.

Sontag-Padilla, Lisa, Et Al. “Strengthening College Students’ Mental Health Knowledge,

Awareness, And Helping Behaviors: The Impact Of Active Minds, A Peer Mental Health
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Organization.” Journal Of The American Academy Of Child And Adolescent Psychiatry,

Vol. 57, No. 7, 2018, Pp. 500–07, Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.Jaac.2018.03.019.

"Your Mental Health in College | How to College | Crash Course." YouTube, uploaded by

CrashCourse, Jun 16, 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_9PchV6PIc.

Zhi, Licong. “Research On The Influence Of Mental Health On College Students’ Employment

Based On Fuzzy Clustering Techniques.” Soft Computing (Berlin, Germany), Vol. 27,

No. 24, 2023, Pp. 19095–111, Https://Doi.Org/10.1007/S00500-023-09312-4.