While you have been at Dartmouth, have you ever felt hopeless, despondent, uninterested in activities you typically enjoy or lethargic for an extended period of time?
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Mental Health Around the Ivies
Brown University:
Editor's Note
When we were approached to co-edit the Homecoming issue, our agreement was instantaneous. The Parker/Lauren partnership dates back to before we even matriculated — when forced to interact constantly as Trippees, we realized we had a love/hate relationship forged in heaven, strengthened on the stunningly rigorous trails of Hiking II and tested in the newsroom, the classroom and the frat basement (Lauren’s pong game is about as weak as Parker’s ankles, which he injured dancing on Trips). One year, a trip to Nantucket and countless arguments later, we had proven that our insult-based relationship would stand the test of time and thought it only appropriate to apply our combined powers to a subject that’s personal, relevant and yet, somehow, still difficult to tackle.
Alston: Don't Be a Victim
It goes without saying that mental health at the College is an extremely important and multifaceted issue. Simply put, it seems safe to assume that almost everyone on campus has a mental health issue to some degree or another. This is, of course, natural — the College is an environment of high-octane academic performance where almost everyone is a high achiever, so it is extremely easy to feel burnt out, inadequate or unappreciated in the mix of all of this. Only within the past year have I thought that I’ve grasped any sort of truly effective solution to my own mental health issues, let alone those of other people. It is not a panacea by any means, but it has been immeasurably helpful in bringing me a sense of confidence and well-being.
Boyce: “Disease” Versus “Disorder”
Around 400 B.C., the Greek physician Hippocrates treated the mentally ill as not having a disorder, but a disease. Though mental illnesses plagued humanity well before diagnosis and record-keeping, their stigma may be rooted in the misconception that symptoms and behaviors are a matter of one’s choosing. This misconception colors the manner in which patients with psychiatric illnesses are treated. For centuries, many afflicted patients have come to be categorized as having mental disorders rather than medical diseases — a difference that may greatly influence the stigma these patients face in the general population as well by some medical practitioners.
Ihionu: All in Your Head
It is 7:45 on an overcast Monday morning. I know this only because my alarm is blaring, reminding me that I have the misfortune of having to once again wake up and drag myself out of bed — though it only seems unfortunate if your thought processes, like mine, are dominated by mental illnesses, namely depression and generalized anxiety disorder. What is fortunate, however, is that I received both diagnoses before coming to the College. Despite this, I was still unprepared for the amount of effort it would take to get out of bed some days. Maintaining focus while being engaged in academic work is a bit like trying to grasp a wet bar of soap. I could lock myself in the sixth level stacks — no human contact, no phone, no internet — and still manage to waste hours being unproductive — and I definitely did not expect the Hanover winters to take my depressive episodes to new lows.
Cunningham: Behind the Mask
I remember the smile. I remember how draining it was trying to appear happy when it felt like there was nothing but pain and sorrow on the inside. When asked how I was doing, I would say I was fine, reply simply with “nothing” when a friend asked what was wrong. With each false word, I felt myself recede further into the darkness. There were days when I looked in the mirror, unable to recognize the person staring back at me. But even when I felt like I was losing a grasp on who I was, who that person looking back from the mirror was, I was even more afraid of what the reality would be if I took off the mask and finally opened up to myself and my friends about my struggles.
Sharma: The Unspoken Stigma
Do you remember the Hat Game? If you need a refresher to jog your memory about this Dartmouth Outing Club First-Year Trips’ classic, the Hat Game entails asking Trip leaders anonymous questions via slips of paper dropped in a hat. During my Trip, most of the questions were simply jokes that had everyone in splits from laughing. It was amusing to see our Trip leaders compete to see who could most creatively dodge questions about their sexual history. Other questions were thought-provoking and productive. My knowledgeable trip leaders talked extensively about academic advice, stress management and their experiences maintaining a balance between their work and personal lives. There was one question, however, that struck a chord — perhaps the wrong chord. This anonymous question was about depression at the College. Instantly, the temperature in the cabin seemed to drop. The transition from wholesome fun to discomfort amongst the Tripees was evident on everyone’s faces.
Ceraolo: Censored Friendship
Many people have recently been speaking out about the dearth of counselors and other resources to sufficiently support students’ mental health needs. I fully endorse these complaints and understand the need for more institutional structure in the realm of mental health. Just as troubling to me, however, is the way campus culture teaches students to think that discussions of mental health are burdens on their friendships. This effectively creates an unsupportive environment for people with mental health issues and likely sets them up for relapse.
TTLG: An Anchor of Conscience
Dartmouth and I had a toxic relationship. From matriculation in 2008 to academic separation in 2015, it lasted for more than six years. I now realize that if I had drowned myself in the fall of 2014 as I had attempted, I would have been ultimately responsible for the decision — but Dartmouth, nonetheless, would have been the catalyst. The College works for some students. I was not one of them, and I know I am not alone. So let me state this plainly: the College is not a community, but a business originally designed for a particular clientele — and if you are a woman, person of color or a person (of any color) from a low-income family, Dartmouth may be structurally incapable of treating you the way you ought to be treated.
Verbum Ultimum: When Leaving Isn't the Answer
In this Homecoming special issue, The Dartmouth examines mental health on campus. The phrase “mental health” has increasingly become a synonym for depression, anxiety and general stress — and we often forget about the host of other mental illnesses and chronic conditions that people face. Despite being less visible, mental well-being goes hand-in-hand with other factors that shape our lives — our sex, gender, race, class and sexual orientation — as well as our pasts, particularly for those who have experienced sexual or other violence.
Botta: Being a Supportive Friend
It is safe to assume that most people want to be a good friend. When loved ones come to you for support because they are sad or angry, the usual response is that you instinctively want to help that person feel better. Unfortunately, from a mental health standpoint, many people’s instinctive approaches for helping do not always lead to the most effective support. No matter how well intentioned, sometimes a person’s idea of aiding just exacerbates the situation. While I am certainly not an expert, my training as a Sexual Assault Peer Advisor has helped me to become a better support network for my friends by replacing instinct with a more introspective, intentional approach.
Homecoming weekend has more than 20 events scheduled
From members of the Class of 2015 who graduated only four months ago to former students returning now with their families, the Dartmouth Night Ceremony and Homecoming bonfire are expected to draw 5,000 to 8,000 alumni this weekend, alumni relations communications project manager Rachel Hastings said. More than 20 different events are on the Homecoming weekend schedule, including the Dartmouth Night parade, the Homecoming football game, lectures and class reunions, she said.
As of Thursday, the Homecoming bonfire was still in the process of being built.
Students held signs with messages for speaker Emily Yoffe as part of a silent protest of her beliefs on rape and culture.
10.9.15.news.protest_Tiffany.Zhai
Homecoming raises safety concerns each year
In light of the increase in activity and events during the upcoming Homecoming weekend, Safety and Security will work with the Hanover Police Department and Green Mountain Security to dispatch additional patrol officers. Safety and Security will also collaborate with the College’s Emergency Medical Services, who will be on call at Dick’s House, Safety and Security director Harry Kinne said.
Safety and Security has not signifcantly revised its operating procedures for Homecoming weekend to reflect the hard alcohol ban.
Students stage a silent protest of Emily Yoffe's speech
Over 20 student demonstrators held signs — with slogans such as “Stop telling me my rape was my fault” and “Rapists are not victims” — during a presentation titled “The College Rape Overcorrection” featuring controversial Slate columnist Emily Yoffe on Thursday afternoon.