In “Not a matter of generation, but understanding” (Jan 12), Jason Winders gives his take on Steve Paikin’s Anxiety on Campus episode of The Agenda. I thought, too, on watching this program, that it must have something to do with a younger generation’s revised understanding of ‘mental illness,’ a term used often during the program, though the actual problem being discussed seemed to be anxiety only. As Winders states, “This panel repeatedly confused the stress which comes with the deadlines and expectations of university, with true mental health problems.”
I wonder if the aim of this generation is to separate the issues of money worries and adapting to university learning styles from traditional understandings of social and emotional ‘mental health problems.’ If so, it wasn’t made clear in the program. And it leads one to ask, is it possible to separate the mind completely from society’s influence and the emotions?
Wouldn’t students’ exposure to various social groups on campus, as well as acquiring the freedom to explore new ideas, values and beliefs, not to mention dealing with relationships, sexual issues, prejudice or even harassment, hold the possibility of affecting their mental health, at least temporarily? And don’t these interfere with students’ ability to function well with exams and other academic pressures?
If anything would discourage some high school students from wanting to attend university, it would be this program which has focused on specific mental health problems while ignoring others. Winders claims stress management is up to the individual, and I agree, as long as practical coping methods are in place to provide a sound basis, family and/or social groups help rather than hinder, and other unanticipated experiences do not interfere in an unmanageable way.
Sue (Fulham) McPherson