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Cartoon-like person looking at the edge of the picture. A text of Students' mental health day 19.4.2023.
19.04.2023

Students' Mental Health Day calls for moderation

Laura, the board member responsible for social affairs, writes today about moderation and how moderation can be part of students' lives.

The Student Mental Health Day is observed today on Wednesday the 19th of April. The theme is moderation, and as we approach Wappu and the end of the academic year, it's a good time to reflect on students' mental health and how moderation plays a role in it. The students' everyday life is full of pressure to perform, hecticness, and demands. Balancing academic progress, work-life challenges, and maintaining social relationships is like walking on a tightrope. Falling off of it can lead to a mental health crisis. Most of the pressures are due to societal structures, but we can do our best to alleviate the burden on our part.

I want to encourage you, dear fellow student, to do things in moderation in every aspect of your life. Take time to pause and reflect on which areas of your life you're being excessive in and what would motivate you to change.

Balance your studies, work, and leisure time. You also have the right to rest and play, so remember to make time for that. You don't need (and usually shouldn't) give a 110% effort in everything. Moderation is mainly about prioritizing.

Where could you add moderation to your life?
Moderation in exercise, moderation in eating.
Moderation in alcohol consumption, moderation in partying.
Moderation in how you talk to yourself, moderation in what you demand from yourself.
Moderation in how you treat others.

The most important thing is to find the most suitable way for yourself to maintain balance. Be kind to yourself and others, because your mental health is worth it.

You don't have to cope alone either. Below is contact information and help if you're worried about your or a friend's well-being. In an emergency, always call the emergency number 112.

 

Mieli ry crisis helpline
09 2525 0111 (24/7, in Finnish)
09 2525 0112 (in Swedish)
09 2525 0113 (in English and Arabic)

 

YTHS mental health services
046 710 1097 (also available on SelfChat)

 

Psycho-social services of Pohjanmaa well-being area
https://en.osterbottensvalfard.fi/our-services/psychosocial-services/

 

Study psychologist at the University of Vaasa
ray.ohtonen@uwasa.fi

 

University Chaplain
alma-helena.tuiskula@evl.fi

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