UMKC’s medical students and faculty are offering several resources and advice for students in recognition of the specific obstacles for mental health that this time of year can have on everyone.
“It is an ugly subject that is very easy to avoid, but it’s something that needs to be on the forefront at all times,” said Sheckhar Gugnani, UMKC student and Co-President of Physicians for Mental Health (PMH). “We need to start talking about mental health and destigmatizing it.”
Gugnani believes that there are two reasons that mental health issues including stress and burnout are so prevalent this time of the year, one being the changing seasons.
“When the weather changes and it’s cold outside, you feel like you’re more confined and isolated,” said Gugnami. “That might have a psychological toll on people where they feel like they’re physically isolated, so they feel they have to be mentally isolated.”
Gugnami also said the increase in more school work creates more demands and stress for students during this time of year. Students with cumulative finals have to start studying cumulatively.
“If they didn’t do well on some of the earlier exams, that stress can really pile up,” said Gugnani. “So that’s why it kind of boils down to burnout feeling excessively high at this point in the semester.”
The Interim Director and Training Director at Roo Wellness Counseling services Teresa L. Huff-Pomstra recommends that students study strategically, taking short breaks every 45-50 minutes. She said to avoid social media, stating that breaks from apps like TikTok can help students really focus.
“Burnout is influenced by working and working and working, with no breaks or downtime,” said Huff-Pomstra. “Burnout can be prevented, not just treated.”
Huff-Pomstra said UMKC’s faculty is happy to help support a student, but won’t know unless the student expresses they have a need. UMKC Counseling Services also provides a free counseling consultation and 8 free sessions to students.
Shelly Bhagat, PMH co-president, talked about more UMKC resources. Roo Wellness’ website lets students find the right assistive resources for them, or go through virtual suicide prevention training. MindBody Connection is a space in Student Union rooms 303G and 303H devoted to stress-relief.
“The thing with mental health is when you’re in that situation you kind of feel like you’re trapped,” said Bhagat. “When you reach out for help and get out and talk with people you realize there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and that things can get better, and I know that it’s really tough to make that first step.”
To Bhagat, this point in the semester is when students are feeling burnt out. With finals approaching, consistent back-to-back exams and the fact that students haven’t had a break yet this semester, Bhagat says it’s been a long stretch for a lot of students.
“The truth is you can’t take care of other people unless you take care of yourself,” said Bhagat.
For more info about on-campus resources, click here.
