Living in a world where there are high expectations can be stressful, it doesn’t matter if it’s from your parents, family, friends, work or school. Sometimes we need to take a moment to breathe.
In Calif., we have normalized mental health breaks. In 2021, Senate Bill (SB) 14 was passed for public school students to be allowed absence due to their behavioral/mental health.
“This bill would include, within the meaning of an absence due to a pupil’s illness, an absence for the benefit of the pupil’s mental or behavioral health,” according to SB-14.
To bring awareness, Delta College’s Basic Needs Center hosted the Spooktacular Mental Health Break at the Dolores Huerta Plaza. The event was on Oct. 26 and started from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Spooktacular didn’t get a huge turn out, however the event brought awareness to personal wellness.
Delta student Pharele Jackson volunteers and was tabling for the Dreamers Success Center at the event. He gave insight on what his mental health break consists of.
“I just stay at home and watch TV. I’ll do some of my art. I like to paint on pizza boxes and Amazon boxes. I like abstract art, so that helps me when I take a break,” Jackson said.
When having a mental health break it’s okay to escape from reality. Besides staying home, there are activities you can do too. Do things that bring you joy or give you small wins like; creating art, meditation/yoga, being outdoors, going for a walk or a ride, watching TV, reading a book, cooking or trying a new recipe. Another small win could also be surrounding yourself with positive people.
We’re not only just college students; we are single mothers/fathers, we’re interns, we’re managers, we all have obligations and expectations which is exhausting. It’s okay to have an off day and it’s okay to not be okay. Yes, we have responsibilities but we are also responsible to take care of ourselves and our well-being.