Texas State could not have chosen a more important or relatable Common Experience theme than this year’s “Minds Matter: Exploring Mental Health and Illness.”
Open discussions about the stigmas associated with mental illness will help students deal with instances that occur in their day-to-day lives and become part of national discussions.
According to a June 5 University Star article, the programs associated with this theme will target issues, ranging from social interactions to medical practices, surrounding the stigma of mental illness. Joe Meyer, director of Institutional Research, continued to push for this theme, even after it was not chosen last year in favor of “A Global Odyssey,” because of his personal experience with his own depression and his son’s severe case of Bipolar disorder.
The Common Experience attempts to better educate students on a topic that can often be misrepresented by challenging misconceptions of mental health. Students who have or encounter mental illness can have better dialogue regarding their experiences without fear of judgment if the stigma associated with mental illness is removed.
Mental illness is many times portrayed in the media as something linked with dangerous behavior. Those with a mental illness are often accused of making up ailments in their mind and are sometimes told to just get over it. Removing these stereotypes from students’ minds will not only benefit the university and its students but add to a much larger national discussion.
At Texas State, discussion about mental illness is extremely relevant considering the near-crisis some students are experiencing at the Counseling Center There were 1,700 students turned away from the Counseling Center due to lack of space and resources during the 2011-2012 academic year, according to a Feb. 14 University Star article. Hopefully the Common Experience will bring more attention to the needs of these students. It could also provide another avenue for students with mental illnesses to discuss them more openly.
National discussions such as gun control contribute to the importance of this Common Experience theme. Incidents such as the Sandy Hook Elementary School and Aurora, Colorado movie theater shootings have been linked to mental illnesses and have spurred political action. The information students will receive during Common Experience events could influence future voting decisions or help form stances on issues.
Past Common Experiences have not seemed to strongly interest or resonate with students. This topic should engage students, and they should participate in the events and discussions held. Whether or not students have a personal mental health issue, everyone should be interested in learning how to help or interact with those who do.
The college environment is an important platform to influence minds. This is a progressive step for Texas State and the fact that an entire year is devoted to mental illness should be applauded.
