Ethan Chang and Joanna Lee

“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” – Jiddu Krishnamurti

There is no question that mental and physical health are substantial issues profoundly ingrained in our society. Though we have taken strides to reduce such problems, the concerns and awareness about mental health seemingly fall short in comparison to that of physical health. According to interviews we conducted on campus, college students believe humanity has strong foundations in promoting physical health and substantiated these judgments based on the fact that “school curricula mandates students to take physical education and health classes, but no class to help improve their own mental health and tact in approaching others with mental illness,” or that “most people have doctors, but not therapists,” or more recently, the widespread propaganda of outbreaks like the coronavirus. In an opposing perspective, one respondent claimed that their “mental health is already strong” and that society is far more concerned with mental health because people around them were open about their issues and seeking help, but quieter about physical disorders/diseases that they’re diagnosed with.

Investigating further, we transitioned our questions to a more personal level, inquiring about any issues they may be facing and how it has affected their lives. Some answered that they suffered from social anxiety or just anxiety in general, which hindered their ability to socialize with people, join new clubs, and communicate with professors. Another said that he wishes to improve his physical health with exercise and dieting while simultaneously learning how to be himself, as he suspects others view him differently than who he truly is due to the persona he outwardly presents. Others mentioned how poor quality and lack of sleep have negatively affected their moods and interactions with the people around them. 

As they reflected on their own personal health, we followed by inquiring how coming to college may have affected their health whether it be physically or mentally. Many commented that in one way or another, their health has improved, with one respondent stating “Everyone in college has their own goals so it’s a lot easier to focus on myself and not compare myself to my peers.” Furthermore, due to the accessibility of the gyms and consistent walks to classes, students mentioned that they feel their physical health has elevated. However, in contrast to these statements, some students have stated that college life has caused them to feel more unstable mentally. As students formed cliques, they observed that they felt rather isolated and found it difficult to talk to new people. 

It is clear that many individuals are quietly suffering in this sick society. But we can change this! Each person we interviewed stated that they are making at least some change to their lifestyle or mindset in order to better their health. And as long as humanity continues to strive for improvement, there may yet be a bright future for our generation and those to come.