NAMI-GC College Outreach Program
Questions about NCCOP? Want to help? Contact nccop@namigc.org.
For more information, referrals, support, and education about serious mental illness, call NAMI of Greater Chicago at (312) 563-0445, or visit the NAMI of Greater Chicago website, namigc.org.
“Wow, where to begin??? Reach out for help. Talk to someone you trust about how you feel. Minimise stress. If you are in a situation that is contributing to your illness, change the situation.”
“Medication management, exercise and reducing stress helped.”
“It seems to me that, in order to get through something, it is extremely helpful to be physically active, to eat healthfully (and avoid excessive caffeine and sugar), to monitor and control stress levels, and to maintain strong relationships with friends, family, loved ones. It is also important to maintain a positive outlook, to be cheerful, and to be hopeful. Without the belief that one can get better, the prospects of actually getting better become more limited. Whether this is due to the placebo effect, the power of the mind, or some aspect of quantum mechanics, hope is extremely powerful.”
“During my college "slump" one of my best friends said to me ‘you know, you should just get really involved in AIDS work or something. Think of all the time and energy that you could be spending on helping others.’ At the time, the comment struck me as insensitive, but later on I realized what a profound truth it was. I realized that being depressed leaves one in a state that is oddly narcissistic, if only because it requires one to withdraw somewhat form the rest of the world. For some, I think this realization can be extremely moving and perhaps catalytic. However, it is quite harsh, so it might not work for everyone.”
Want to add your tips? Send an email to nccop@namigc.org.
Want to learn more about the signs and symptoms of mental illness? Go to Signs & Symptoms.
For listings of resources that may be able to help, please visit Campus & Community Resources.