Mental health matters

By News@TheU 10-10-2025

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five Americans-including 23 percent of adults and 17 percent of youth-were affected by at least one mental illness in the past year. People of all ages and racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds experience depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or more serious mental health disorders.

Taking care of your mental health is vitally important, as research shows it can affect your physical health too. On World Mental Health Day, we looked back at articles featuring our University psychology and psychiatry experts on how to recognize some of the most common mental health challenges and support those who are affected.

October is Depression Awareness Month

Depression can present different symptoms depending on the person. But for most people, depressive disorder changes how one functions day to day. Typically, the symptoms persist for more than two weeks and can include sleep disturbance, a change in appetite, lack of concentration, and hopelessness, to name a few. There are also some signs specific to children, so parents can read this article.

Here are some recommendations for managing symptoms of depression:

• Exercise or do some form of physical activity.
• Eat a well-balanced diet. Food affects your mood.
• Establish a regular sleep pattern.
• Eliminate the use of alcohol and drugs.
• Modify your schedule and set small realistic goals.
• Do things that bring you joy.
• Practice gratitude. Emphasize meaningful and positive aspects of your life.
• Enhance your tribe. Have a social support system of family and friends.
• Engage the help of a mental health professional. For students on and off campus, visit the Counseling Center. For University employees, contact the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program at 305-284-6604.

Despite how it might feel to those experiencing it, there is no shame in suffering from depression. It is one of the most common mental illnesses in the United States.

Anxiety

Meanwhile, anxiety is the top mental health concern in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health. About 40 million people have an anxiety disorder, which is about 19 percent of Americans, reports the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

"Anxiety happens when you are anticipating a threat or anticipating danger," said Jill Ehrenreich-May, professor of psychology and pediatrics at the University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences. "With anxiety, because you are conceptualizing what might happen in a given situation, you might worry about it, which is thinking about elements of that possible threat again and again."

This worry can sometimes lead the person to experience sensations of fear when they may feel their breathing becoming more rapid. With anxiety, one might feel more restless, lightheaded, or tired. Often, people have these sensations when worrying but do not recognize it as anxiety, said Ehrenreich-May. Other symptoms of anxiety are racing thoughts, usually related to constant worriesor feelings of panicor losing control. Other physical symptoms arechest tightness, palpitations, rapid breathing, abdominal pain, sweating or shakiness.

Ways to reduce anxiety include:

• Exercise and enjoy nature
• Keep a routine
• Try to slow things down
• Get off your phone, raise your head, and be aware of what is around you
• Get a good night's sleep.
• Eat nutritious foods

ADHD

October is also Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Awareness Month. This condition is characterized by inattention and disorganization and impacts a large subset of the population. About 8.7 percent of Americans have ADHD, and it is commonly found in children. To learn more about ADHD, read this article.

Upcoming events at the University

The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program will be offering weekly wellness webinars during October to create awareness, understanding, and reduce stigma around depression. Register for a session below.

• Making Sense of Sadness in the Wake of Loss
  
  • Tuesday, Oct. 14, 12-1 p.m.|Register
• Depression-Support, Awareness, and Well-Being
  • Tuesday, Oct. 21, 12-1 p.m. | Register and 4-5 p.m. | Register

• Change Your Thoughts and Your Mood Will Follow
  • Tuesday, Oct. 28, 12-1 p.m. | Register and 4-5 m. | Register
• Refresh and Reset-Take a 15-minute break from your busy schedule to engage in a refreshing wellness practice.
  • Thursday, Oct. 16, at noon | Register
  • Thursday, Oct. 23, at noon | Register
  • Thursday, Oct. 30, at noon | Register

Students can always visit the Counseling Center in person or online or use a host of online resources available through the Student Affairs Emotional Well-Being website.

Community clinics at the University

There are also several mental health clinics available through the College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Psychology.

• The Psychological Services Center is an outpatient mental health clinic that offers high-quality and cutting-edge psychological services provided by doctoral students and under the supervision of University faculty and licensed psychologists
• The Child and Adolescent Mood and Anxiety Treatment program is a clinical research program dedicated to developing and testing state-of-the-art psychotherapy approaches for anxiety and depression in children and adolescents.
• Autism Spectrum Assessment Clinic is a specialty clinic at the University of Miami dedicated to providing diagnostic and therapeutic services to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related social, communication, or developmental challenges.

At the Medical Campus, the Miller School of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry has a host of experts trained to identify and treat a range of mental health conditions.

To learn more about whether you may be experiencing a mental health challenge, University staff members can take a free assessment.

Complete an anonymous online self-assessment to check your mental well-being or visit fsap.miami.edu and find resources for available support.