Mental health: key to comprehensive well-being and educational development
Mental health is a fundamental factor in a person's overall well-being, as it directly influences the way they think, feel, and act.
Having good mental health not only allows us to face everyday challenges, but also facilitates peaceful coexistence with others and more fulfilling personal development. This emotional and psychological balance is as important as physical health, yet it has long been ignored or stigmatized.
Today, it has become essential to pay attention to the mental health of the new generations, as adolescents and young adults are a vulnerable group facing increasing pressures, often without the necessary resources to adequately manage them. Therefore, it is crucial to promote a culture of emotional care in educational settings from an early age, as well as to provide accessible and timely psychological support.
A mental health conscious community
Talking about mental health should no longer be a taboo, but a collective necessity. Fostering a community that is mindful of its emotional well-being means recognizing that we may all need support at some point. When empathy, active listening, and access to safe spaces to express our feelings are fostered, healthier, more humane, and supportive environments are built. Protecting mental health ultimately means taking care of everyone.
Fernanda Coello, a professor at the University of Azuay and a doctor of psychology, highlights the importance of making psychological care visible and normalizing it within educational institutions, especially on the occasion of World Mental Health Day.
Mental health is fundamental to the well-being and performance of both students and teachers. For students, it directly influences motivation, social relationships, and interest in learning. For teachers, good mental health is key to managing stress, meeting academic demands, and effectively transmitting knowledge, says Coello.
Technological and cultural evolution has had a significant impact on the way young people behave and cope with emotional challenges. On the one hand, important benefits are recognized, such as access to digital platforms that facilitate mental health assessment, support, and intervention. These tools have allowed educational institutions to prioritize this care and offer more agile and accessible support.
However, worrying risks have also emerged. The inappropriate use of psychological language on social media and the tendency to self-diagnose without professional support can generate confusion, trivialize serious disorders, and delay seeking appropriate help. This represents a challenge for institutions, which must adapt their mental health strategies, promoting reliable information, encouraging professional consultation, and strengthening critical thinking.
Regarding early detection, Coello points out that misbehavior isn't the only indicator of a problem. Isolation or a drop in academic performance are also warning signs that should be taken seriously by teachers and families.
The importance of institutional strategies to promote psychological well-being: emotional management workshops, free counseling sessions, and prevention programs are some of the actions already being used in the university setting.
These actions seek not only to address specific situations but also to foster a culture of self-care and emotional support within the academic environment. Investing in mental health is not only a response to a need, but also a commitment to the comprehensive education of students, faculty, and administrative staff. Prevention, emotional education, and timely access to professional support are fundamental pillars of this approach.
Overcoming the stigma surrounding therapy requires transforming the community's understanding of mental health. Openly discussing the topic, providing support, and challenging the myths surrounding it are key steps to bringing about that change.
Educational institutions have a duty to create environments where emotional well-being is an essential part of academic and personal development. Promoting self-care and facilitating access to psychological support are fundamental steps toward a more empathetic and conscious community.
Breaking stigmas about therapy
Breaking the stigmas that still surround therapy is essential so that more people can access the support they need without fear of misunderstanding. By demystifying misconceptions about mental health, we foster a more empathetic culture, where therapy is seen as a valuable tool for self-care and healing.
Viviana Vásquez, a clinical psychologist at the University of Azuay, points out that stigmas still persist that keep many people away from therapy. One of the most common is that going to therapy is a sign of weakness or personal incapacity, when in reality it's an act of self-care and courage.
Underestimating the role of therapy can have serious consequences, ranging from chronic discomfort to the development of more severe disorders. Therefore, therapy should be understood as a process of professional, safe, and empathetic support that allows the person to identify dysfunctional patterns and confront their difficulties, says Vásquez.
University community well-being
UDA Salud Una Salud is a center committed to the well-being of the university community in all its aspects. Its focus is based on professional excellence, the constant search for innovative solutions, and the creation of an environment conducive to learning and comprehensive care.
This center recognizes the close relationship between physical and mental health, and is consolidating its position as a space dedicated to caring for the whole human being.
Care is provided on an outpatient basis and is based on three levels of prevention: primary (promotion and protection), secondary (early detection and treatment), and tertiary (preventing complications and deterioration). In cases requiring specialized care, referrals are made to public or private services.