Today starts the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week here at K-State!
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Week, let’s explore the benefits that exercise and physical activity have on mental health!
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 20% of Adults in the United States live with mental illness – thats 46.6 million people! In other words, if you live with mental illness or struggle with your mental wellbeing, you are not alone! If we’re looking at the average college aged individual who falls between 18 and 25 years old that number jumps to 25.8% of individuals living with mental illness.
According to the article Exercise for Mental Health by Sharma et al., “Exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood and by improving self-esteem and cognitive function.”
Exercise can help us:
- Reduce feelings of depression and anxiety
- Help us cope with stress better
- Increase our energy levels, mood, self esteem, and self confidence
- Improve our cognitive function, well being, and quality of sleep
If you’ve just started exercising, are new to the campus, or simply new to the rec center there are heaps of options for you to begin your journey with physical activity:
- You can check out our fall group fitness schedule by clicking here
- The second session of Cat Fit, a fun cross training class that involves weightlifting, HIIT, and strength and conditioning begins on October 21st! To sign up, you can register at the rec services office.
- The Rec is offering FREE (you read that right) intro to lifting courses on the 27th of October and the 17th of November and you can register by following this link .
- Looking for one on one or individualized instruction with a buddy? Check our our personal training services here.
- Intramural sports are an excellent way to build community and get active on a regular basis and learn something new – check ’em out here!
In addition to the rec center, there’s lots of awesome events being put on around campus this week through PAWS (Peer Advocates for Mental Wellness and Success).
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental wellness on campus, visit the K-State Counseling Services located in Lafene Health Center.
From the Counseling Services Website:
If you are in immediate crisis and one of the following applies to you:
- You feel you are in immediate danger of harming yourself
- You feel you are in immediate danger of harming someone else
Call:
- 911 and ask for help
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
- The Trevor Lifeline (Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ Youth) 866-4-U-TREVOR (1-866-488-7386)
Text a national crisis text line:
- START to 741-741
- STEVE to 741741 (Crisis support for young people of color)
Go to the local Emergency Room (In Manhattan, KS, Ascension Via Christi Hospital is located at 1823 College Avenue).
CRISIS RESOURCES:
Off-campus in Manhattan, KS
- Hospital – Ascension Via Christi 1823 College Avenue
- Housing-Manhattan Emergency Shelter 785-537-3113
- Mental Health- Pawnee Mental Health 24 hour Crisis 800-609-2002
- Police –Riley County Police Department 785-537-2112 (non-crisis) & 911 (crisis)
On-campus
- K-State Police 785-532-6412
- Other resources
Sexual Assault Resources
National Sexual Assault Hotline; 1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673)
