By Aldo Palacios
Over the last few years, many initiatives have helped challenge the stigma surrounding mental health. Yet one of these disorders is especially prevalent and misunderstood among college students: anxiety. To move forward, students and college campuses must break the silence and normalize talking about their internal struggles
In this, Dr. Kevin Milligan, Director of UIW Behavior Health Sciences, says, “Anxiety is the most common mental condition that we see here on campus, and I’d say it’s pretty universal with all campuses around the country.”
Despite how common it is, managing it remains a heavy burden. This includes opening up about their struggles, reaching out for help, and learning to live with it.
“Anxiety can be healthy, but it can also create distress,” Dr. Milligan explains. “When you feel nervous before an exam, that motivates you to study and do well. It becomes distressing when there’s a lot of negative thoughts.”
Sarah, a senior at the University of the Incarnate Word, understands this experience firsthand. She says, “Throughout college, I have experienced a lot of anxiety and self-doubt, especially when I feel overwhelmed by school, responsibilities, and expectations. At times, these feelings can make it difficult for me to feel confident in myself and the decisions I make.”
Many students are also employees, athletes, and club or organization leaders. As a result, they lead those busy lives without stopping to acknowledge that they’re overwhelmed or that they are in need of prioritizing themselves.
Sarah explains, “Sometimes I worry about being judged or feeling like I am putting my problems onto someone else, so I tend to keep my feelings to myself.”
Unfortunately, the danger of this mindset is that it increases feelings of anxiety. Dr. Milligan adds that when avoidance, isolation, and negative self-talk enter the scene, individuals experience anxiety surges that result from self-judgment.
Breaking the cycle of silence involves more than just individual effort. There is no reason for students to go through this alone — it takes a community like UIW to look out for one another. When students create spaces for each other to be vulnerable, rather than judged, they find relief through their empathy.
For Sarah, peer support starts with small, intentional check-ins. “Students help each other by creating a supportive environment where people feel comfortable talking about what they are going through without fear of judgement.” Sarah encourages students, “Simply checking in on a friend, listening to them, or reminding them that they are not alone can make a big difference.”
Dr. Milligan emphasizes that peer support often serves as the first step towards healing. “Staying in our comfort zone is what helps keep our anxiety down, but it also minimizes our opportunities for growth. One of the biggest things students can do is to be willing to interact, listen, and take the first step. “
By starting honest conversations, checking in on each other, and offering a shoulder to lean on, students can find active support right inside their campus. This will only prove that while anxiety is a personal struggle, no one has to struggle with it alone.
