My four years at the University of Connecticut have been some of the most joyous and challenging years of my life. I came to campus in the middle of a global pandemic, attending my first classes online in my dorm room. It was possibly the worst start to college, but I’m grateful that the experience happened the way it did.
As my freshman year continued, I struggled more and more with my mental health. I began to forgo homework and essays for television and self-destructive behaviors. I would isolate myself for days, not speaking to the few friends I had managed to make on my residence hall floor. I had always struggled with mental health throughout my life, but the stress of starting college (not to mention during the worst time ever), was beginning to get to me. I felt scared and alone, worried that I would be isolated for the rest of my college experience.
On a walk around campus one day, I came across a sign for the UConn Recovery Community (URC). I had no idea what the organization was, but I knew that I needed connection and support. Bearing the semester alone was getting to be too much, and I was swiftly failing my classes. Something needed to be done if I wanted to be a student by the springtime.
Joining the URC turned out to be the best possible decision I could have made for myself. There, I found friendship and connection. I was surrounded by other students who knew how difficult it could be to manage those conditions while being a full-time student. Most importantly, I was finally having fun in college. At a time when it seemed like nobody was able to connect with each other, I found my community.
Throughout my time at school, I continued to struggle, cycling in and out of programs and treatment centers. No matter how many times I fell, my community was there to pick me back up again. I will be forever grateful for that and for all the people at the URC who helped me along my journey. You know who you are!
As I grew into myself on campus, I found a writing career calling my name. I always had an interest in writing since I was young, but being on campus allowed me to fully explore that passion. I joined The Daily Campus and soon began writing this column, Healthy Huskies.
Bringing information about mental health and wellness to the larger UConn community has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me. I’ve loved using this platform to raise awareness of different issues and communities on campus, and to explore the stigma surrounding mental health. Writing at The Daily Campus has allowed me to hone in on what makes writing exciting for me: helping others.
I will be sad to let this column and the paper go, but I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to write. Whether I was on campus, at home, in another country or in my head — writing was always there for me. With my community behind me, I know I will continue to write and hopefully bring more awareness surrounding mental health and wellness.
To the URC and my community, you are the reason I started writing this column and your bravery helps my life and my recovery more than you know. To my editors past and present, thank you so much for taking a chance on me and fostering my creativity. You are the best team ever!
To the UConn community, thank you for reading and listening to what I have to say. I hope my writing was able to help you in some way. I will miss writing for you all and know that there are resources available on campus should you need help with your mental health. Reaching out for help is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Thank you so much, Huskies!