That's why he found Emory's Freshman Mental Health Campaign, launched online and on campus this week, so impressive. “Reframing: Discovering Possibilities” It highlights the dangers of toxic perfectionism and the lessons students can learn when life doesn't turn out as expected or as expected.
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
Elite universities such as Emory Only about 11% of applicants are admitted.can be a pressure cooker for students striving for good grades and career opportunities.
One famous research A paper published by the American Psychological Association reports that rates of perfectionism among college students have been on the rise for nearly 30 years, and this troubling trend is due in part to increased competition, unrealistic expectations, and Researchers say this may be due to social media comparisons.perfectionism can be linked For various mental health problemanxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts, which can all be contributing factors to eating disorders.
For example, TikTok is filled with videos created by students listing college admissions “statistics” such as high school grade point average, SAT scores, extracurricular activities, and number of Advanced Placement courses. The comment section is filled with congratulations and criticism from other students. Leaders of several social media platforms went to Congress several weeks ago in response to concerns that their sites were causing mental health problems for many young people.
Emory's new mental health campaign shares the stories of 10 faculty, staff and alumni who overcame setbacks and self-doubt.through black and white portrait photography This initiative aims to empower students to bounce back from difficult moments.
James Raper, associate vice president at Emory University, said, “There's a lot of competition just to get into college, and sometimes when you experience mistakes and failures, if you choose to use that word, your dreams come true.'' Sometimes I feel shattered,” he said. Health, wellbeing, access and prevention.
Officials hope the campaign will spark a campus-wide conversation about normalizing failure and how we can support each other. Over the next few semesters, Emory will host a dinner and dialogue series where students can spontaneously gather in small groups to talk and share their stories, Raper said.
Raper, who is a licensed clinical mental health counselor, recorded one of the videos that will be promoted during the semester. He spoke about how he struggled with his own mental health during his college years, failing to make the grade, and how he struggled to return to school. You don't have to be anything else,” he says to the camera.
In another video, Joan WilliamsDirector of Student Engagement at Emory's Rollins School of Public Health, talks about not getting into medical school.
“At the time, I completely believed I had let myself (and) my family down,” she said.
While grieving the loss of what she thought was her life, she began to focus on other things that made her happy. She joined AmeriCorps after her college graduation and went on to graduate school at Emory University to study public health.
“There is hope after failure, but it takes time and a lot of patience and grace for yourself,” she said. “It requires honesty and really thinking about what you want as an individual.”
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
as a member of Student Welfare Advisory Committee, Curtis had a chance to preview the campaign. He found the story relatable and appreciated how mistakes and challenges created opportunities for people to become their “destined people.”
“Unless we change this narrative, the thinking behind failure has no positive implications,” Curtis says.
