Let's Talk About Mental Health
Because it’s okay to not be okay.
BY Eliza Brown ★ JUly 6th, 2025
Design: Zoe Xixis
I’ve always had anxiety — to the point where it became my “normal.” Naturally, being in a constant state of fight-or-flight takes a toll, and there has to be a breaking point somewhere. For me, it happened to be during my first semester at Syracuse.
Going to college is a huge change for anyone, but with my recent breakup and school transfer, the change felt even more intense. Syracuse ended up being the perfect place for me. I made great friends, joined amazing organizations and finally felt like I belonged. I knew that making the switch to Syracuse was the best decision, yet I still wasn’t happy.
It didn’t make any sense: I loved school, my friends, my classes and my sorority but still felt so much anxiety and sadness. That’s the thing about mental health — it doesn’t always make sense. Everything can be going as planned, but you can still feel like something is wrong. Your feelings are valid; your experience is valid.
I started therapy at the university’s counseling center, and it ended up being one of the best decisions I could’ve made. I’d been to multiple different therapists in the past, but nothing seemed to stick. After a consultation with my new therapist, he recommended something I was scared to consider: Antidepressants.
There is such a stigma around medication for mental health. Some people are against it in general, and other people just don’t want to talk about it. But we should talk about it.
Since starting medication, I feel so much better and continue to feel better every day.
At first, I was almost embarrassed to be taking medication for my mental health, but I have started talking to more people about it. Guess what? Many of them have had mental health struggles as well, and many of them also take medication. After realizing this, I felt less alone. I want everyone to share that feeling — being comfortable enough to share your struggles and reaching a place where they’re not ashamed of going to therapy or taking medication.
If you’re struggling, just know it is okay to reach out for help. It is okay to see a psychiatrist and be prescribed medicine that will help you. If no one else will tell you, I will.
Feeling better can look different for each person. But no matter what, your mental health matters. YOU matter.
If you feel like something just isn’t right, there’s no better time to start your healing journey than today. Go online and source therapists in your area (or remotely). Though it may seem cliché, start journaling. It is SO therapeutic (and so fun)! Talk to a friend, family member or anyone else you trust. Communicate and share your feelings. Meditate. Exercise. Whatever it takes, do it to help you feel better, because there’s no better feeling than that.