EDITORIAL: The Time Had Come to Stop Being Afraid

Welcome to a new year of The Breather!
By this point in the semester, we are beginning to get into a rhythm. We no longer have to check our schedules every day to remember which rooms our classes are in, and we have pieced together some form of daily routine. But, on the other hand, we risk falling into a slump - the holiday break is over, and we are in for a long stretch. On top of it all, midterms and assignments come at us, piling up deadlines just as quickly as we can meet them. 
It is important to remember to take a step back when everything feels overwhelming. Instead of seeing everything as a long, stressful stretch of time filled with work that must be done as soon as possible, take it one day at a time, and do not be afraid to take a break to gather yourself and your thoughts if you need to. Think big picture; it is better to have one “unproductive” hour than a whole day of anxiety and burnout.
During the first week of classes this semester, a new student I remembered from when I was a Student Guide at orientation approached me. She looked nervous, and kept checking to see if anyone could hear our conversation.
“Do you know where the Counseling Center is on campus?” She asked me.
I told her where the Counseling Center is on Beren (215 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1303, in case you were wondering), and she thanked me.
“Just make sure not to tell anyone, okay?” She added. “I don’t want anyone to think I’m crazy.”
The interaction was striking to me. I wish everyone, new and returning students alike, understood how many people use the Counseling Center as an on-campus resource. Additionally, even among the students who do not go to the Counseling Center, many seek professional help for mental health off-campus. To struggle is not to be strange or weak, but to be human, to be strong enough to carry an invisible weight on your shoulders, and even stronger when you ask for help with your burden.
You may feel alone, but understand that you are not, by any means, alone in your struggles. The sooner we, as a society, stop censoring ourselves and start freely having this dialogue, the sooner we can truly work together to collectively live healthier, happier lives. This is the mission of Active Minds and, by extension, The Breather. We are starting this dialogue in the hope that you continue it - with your friends, your roommates, your classmates, your siblings. The time has come for us to stop being afraid.
Shayna Herszage, Co-Editor in Chief
Devora Tuchman, Co-Editor in Chief

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