By Christian Enevoldsen, Senior Academic Counselor
“Every solution to every problem is simple. It’s the distance between the two where the mystery lies.” ― Derek Landy, Skulduggery Pleasant
In searching for a quote for this article, I was surprised at the lack of notable mentions concerning mental health. It seems that even in late 2016 that this subject still carries a bit of a taboo. Despite this, thanks to the work done through events like Mental Illness Awareness week held earlier this month, more and more people each day have the courage to seek help finding their way from here to there.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that roughly 1 in 4 Americans over the age of 18 lives with a mental illness and nearly 50% of those people have more than one diagnosable condition. Odds are that you know one or more people in your day-to-day life who live with a mental illness. With numbers this widespread, Mental Illness Awareness Week’s impact upon the country grows each year. Its aim is to help provide awareness, education, and networking opportunities in communities throughout the country during the first week of October each year.
As Red Raiders, we know how to work hard and what it means to live with pride and honor. However, it is sometimes this pride or feelings of shame that can lead to a person in need to not reach out and receive the guidance they require. We have a variety of great resources on campus and throughout the Lubbock area at large, which can help connect you to available services.
A great first place to start should you ever need to talk to someone is the Student Counseling Center in the Student Wellness building. If it is a more pressing issue or after hours, you can just pick up your phone to call the Texas Tech Crisis HelpLine. Both of these resources can help with the first steps of getting you in touch with someone who can help. Should you be reading this in the Lubbock area and not currently attend Texas Tech, there are still several options available to you as well.
Lubbock Starcare has an expansive network of available resources and contact information for a variety of providers. They carry out all the mental health services provided by the state in the surrounding area and can help guide you on your path to well being. Most importantly, if you don’t feel like you can call on your own, find someone and tell him or her what is going on and accept the help given. Every person is deserving of help.
So what can you do if you are one of the many Americans who doesn’t have a need for mental health services? Start a conversation with your friends, family, and in your communities. By continuing to talk about issues like mental health, we can break down the walls that hold up the stigma, so that more people can have the courage to step up and begin their journey towards healthy living. Additionally, make an effort to be present in your interactions with those around you. Put down your phones from time to time and really listen. You never know the impact you may have on a person by simply being present.
Local Resources
Student Counseling Center – Student Wellness – 2nd Floor
- Walk-In Clinic Hours:
- Monday – Friday
- 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
- Phone: 806-742-3674
Texas Tech Crisis HelpLine
- Available 24/7
- (806)742-5555
Lubbock Starcare
- Crisis Line: (806) 740-1414
- Toll Free: (800) 687-7581
The TECHniques Center Blog 