We were burning out: college students share their mental health struggles and paths to healing

The mental health crisis on college campuses is shocking, and it’s only getting worse. Recent studies reveal that over 75% of students experience serious psychological distress, with anxiety, depression, and burnout becoming all too common. But those stats only scratch the surface—they reflect real students grappling with intense challenges as they navigate the high-pressure world of higher education.

In this piece, we get personal insights from five courageous college students. They open up about their mental health battles and share their journeys toward recovery. Their experiences are not just stories; they’re lifelines for anyone who might be quietly struggling.

Sarah’s journey: conquering anxiety

Meet Sarah, a 20-year-old psychology major at UCLA. Her fight with anxiety kicked off during her freshman year when college life became overwhelming.

“I remember sitting in my dorm, staring at my to-do list and just freezing up,” Sarah recalls. “My pulse raced, my hands were clammy. Just going to class or talking to someone felt like climbing a mountain. I slowly isolated myself, skipping lectures and falling behind.”

The turning point? A panic attack during a midterm. “I burst out of the classroom in tears, feeling defeated. That day, I knew I needed help.”

After some nudging from her roommate, Sarah took a brave step and booked a visit at the campus counseling center. “Honestly, it was tough at first,” she admits. “But my therapist made it safe for me to talk about my fears.” Through cognitive-behavioral therapy, she learned to navigate her anxiety and challenge her negative thoughts.

Support from a dedicated group for students dealing with anxiety proved to be a game changer. “Hearing about others’ stories made me feel less alone,” she shares, “and it gave me hope.”

Slowly but surely, Sarah began finding new coping strategies—mindfulness meditation calmed her racing thoughts, breaking tasks into smaller pieces reduced her stress, and reaching out to classmates built connections. “I’m doing well in classes now. I even volunteer as a peer counselor to help others. It’s beautiful how far I’ve come—it fuels my passion for psychology and my goal to become a therapist.”

Sarah’s message to anyone feeling overwhelmed? “You’re not alone, and there’s help out there. Taking that first step was the best choice I ever made.”

James’ journey: from darkness to purpose

“I’m James, a 22-year-old computer science student at MIT. My battle with depression crept up on me during my sophomore year, taking over my life before I knew it.”

Initially, James thought his exhaustion and lack of motivation were just due to his heavy course load. “But soon, getting out of bed every day felt impossible. Things I used to love brought me no joy. My grades tanked, and I drifted away from friends and family.”

His darkest moment? “I seriously considered dropping out. I felt like a complete failure, like I didn’t belong at my school. Scary thoughts about self-harm started to creep in, so I finally talked to my academic advisor.”

She listened without judgment and helped him find the mental health resources he needed. “After being diagnosed with major depressive disorder, I started medication and therapy. The recovery path was no picnic. Some days, showering felt like a victory.”

But a breakthrough happened when James joined a robotics club. “Getting my hands on projects reminded me why I loved technology in the first place. Plus, I made friends who shared that passion.”

James found healing in running, too. “At first, I struggled to run a mile. But as I built endurance, my mood and energy levels soared. I even completed a half-marathon last year—who would’ve thought?”

Now, he’s thriving in academics and his personal life. “I still face ups and downs, but I’ve built a strong support system and a treasure trove of coping tools.”

“Depression once told me I didn’t belong,” he reflects. “But I’ve learned to advocate for better mental health resources. Remember, your struggles don’t define your worth or potential.”

Emily’s experience: finding recovery from an eating disorder

“I’m Emily, a 21-year-old art history major at NYU. My battle with an eating disorder began my freshman year, fueled by stress and body image issues.”

What started as a simple goal to eat healthier quickly spiraled into an obsession. “I counted every calorie and found myself exercising non-stop. I thought I was in control, but the eating disorder took over my life.”

Academic performance suffered as her focus shifted to food instead of classwork. “I withdrew from friends. Social events became a nightmare. My health deteriorated—I was constantly tired; my hair was falling out.”

The wake-up call came when Emily fainted during a class outing. “I ended up in the hospital for malnutrition; it was awful but, honestly, it saved my life.”

During her time away, she entered an outpatient program, facing the hardest challenge yet: healing her relationship with food. “It was tough, but with support from my treatment team, family, and other patients, I slowly began to recover.”

A turning point was rediscovering her love for art. “I kept a visual journal as a way to express feelings I couldn’t put into words. It not only accelerated my healing but helped me reconnect with my passion for art history.”

Returning to college was daunting, yet she had built a support network. “I linked up with a campus nutritionist, joined an eating disorder recovery group, and engaged in body positivity initiatives. It helped me accept myself more fully.”

Today, Emily thrives academically and personally. “I still have tough days, but I’m much better at combating negative thoughts. I’m determined to raise awareness about eating disorders and promote body acceptance.”

“If you’re struggling with disordered eating, reach out for help,” she urges. “You deserve a life free from those chains. Your worth is so much more than a number on a scale.”

Alex’s account: overcoming addiction

“I’m Alex, a 23-year-old sociology major at the University of Michigan. My struggle with substance abuse began with what seemed like harmless partying but spiraled into a dangerous addiction that threatened to derail everything.”

It started off casually—occasional drinking at social gatherings—but soon escalated. “Before long, I was drinking almost daily, even experimenting with hard drugs to feel something stronger.”

Academic success took a backseat as partying became my priority. “I lied to friends and family, isolating myself. I went into debt to support my habit and did things I never thought I’d do.”

The rock bottom came when he was arrested for public intoxication. “Facing expulsion from school was a wake-up call. I had to confront my addiction head-on.”

Thanks to his supportive parents and a compassionate dean, Alex was given a chance to get help instead of facing expulsion. “I entered a residential rehab program, where I spent three months detoxing and learning to live sober.”

The road to recovery wasn’t easy. “Confronting the underlying pain I had masked with substances was brutal. But through therapy and self-discovery, I began to understand my triggers.”

A game-changer was getting involved in advocacy work. “I learned how systemic issues affect addiction and mental health, which ignited my interest in sociology and public health.”

Returning to campus sober was hard, but he found support through a collegiate recovery program. “I started volunteering with local addiction prevention groups, which kept me accountable and gave me purpose.”

Now three years sober, Alex is on track to graduate with honors next month. “I’ve repaired relationships and even secured a spot in a master’s program for public health policy.”

“Addiction can happen to anyone,” he reminds. “But recovery is possible. If you’re struggling, please seek help. Your future is worth it.”

Maya’s story: living with bipolar disorder

“I’m Maya, a 22-year-old English literature student at Columbia University. I didn’t realize I was battling bipolar disorder until my sophomore year, although the signs were there.”

What initially seemed like normal college stress morphed into extreme mood swings. “During manic phases, I’d go days without sleep, overflowing with energy. But then came the crashing lows where I could hardly get out of bed.”

Her academic performance was erratic. “I excelled during my manic phases but fell behind during the lows. Friends struggled to keep up with my mood swings, and risky behaviors during manic episodes led to regrets.”

The breaking point? “After an impulsive spending spree on a trip, I crashed hard and felt utterly hopeless. That’s when my roommate urged me to get help.”

Though hesitant about medication, she eventually recognized its necessity for managing her condition. “Finding the right medication took time, and the side effects were tough, but this process helped me stabilize.”

She learned to structure her life for better mood management. “Consistent sleep, regular exercise, and techniques like meditation became vital. I also learned to set boundaries on commitments during high-energy periods.”

Writing became a source of solace. “I started a blog about my experiences with bipolar disorder, which not only helped me process my journey but connected me with others who understand.”

Today, Maya is flourishing. “I still have mood fluctuations, but they’re manageable now. I’m graduating next semester and heading into an MFA program for creative writing—a dream I thought would be impossible.”

Living with bipolar disorder is an ongoing process, but Maya’s discovered it doesn’t have to limit her. “To anyone dealing with mood disorders—please seek help. With the right treatment, you can not only survive but truly thrive.”

Conclusion: a call for hope and resilience

The powerful stories from Sarah, James, Emily, Alex, and Maya highlight the incredible resilience of college students facing mental health battles. Each narrative offers a glimpse into the complex realities of living with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, and bipolar disorder.

Here are a few common threads in their experiences:

Ask for help: Breaking the silence around mental health struggles is crucial.
Professional support: Therapy and, when needed, medication are essential tools in recovery.
Strong communities matter: Finding support through campus resources, friends, or family helps immensely.
Purposeful pursuits: Rediscovering passions can play a huge role in healing and recovery.
Ongoing management: Mental health is a journey, and developing personalized coping strategies is key.

These stories shine a light on the pressing need for better mental health resources on college campuses. As more students face psychological distress, it’s critical that colleges make accessible, comprehensive support services a priority.

If you’re a student grappling with mental health issues, remember: you’re not alone. Reach out to counseling services, confide in someone you trust, or find help through national helplines. Your mental health matters—help is waiting.

Together, by sharing our stories and supporting one another, we can foster a culture that prioritizes mental wellness and empowers all students to thrive.