Mental vs. Physical Health: What Do Health College Students Consider More Important
What part of your health do you consider most important to you? Does your mental health take precedence over your physical health, and vice versa, or are they both equally important to you? This is the question I presented to the college students of Vassar College and Dutchess Community College.
In a survey-like manner, seven Vassar students were asked, and they all agreed that improving at least one aspect of health, whether mental or physical, would positively impact the other. A pair of male students expressed this belief as one of them stated, “If your mind is good, then you will probably physically feel better about yourself.” A pair of female students echoed the same sentiment as one explained she considered mental health more important to her as “when [she] feels low mentally or really stressed out, that also affects [her] physical health. So, it’s two in one.” However, some students firmly believed that mental health was vital to them. A female student stated that mental health is essential in “grounding herself,” while physical health “can be achieved any day.”
Yet, this importance of mental health is well in line with what transpires nationwide. The American Psychiatric Association states that 73% of college students reported moderate or severe psychological distress in 2021, according to the National College Health Assessment. 60% of college students reported experiencing one or more mental health challenges in 2021, according to the National Healthy Minds Study(.pdf). Therefore, it only makes sense for students across both campuses to say that they consider mental health more important. It seems that mental health in college students might be the worst it has ever been after enduring tough seasons like COVID-19 and self-isolation. Is there a way that American college students can decrease these numbers of psychological distress?
Interestingly enough, there is, and it has to do with the physical aspect of health. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion states, “Although not a cure-all, increasing physical activity directly contributes to improved mental health and better overall health and well-being.” The two go hand in hand, or improving your physical health might best allow you to maintain your mental health. After considering all of the information, students should work to prioritize both aspects of health, as giving 100% to both may yield the best results for their lives.
