By: Khadn Adderley
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — One student at the University of Arkansas took his struggle with mental illness and turned it into something much better.
This summer, after a doctor’s visit, Jacoby Hurst learned that he had anxiety and depression, something he was concerned about, but wasn’t alarmed.
“I wasn’t feeling myself, I wasn’t happy,” Hurst, sophomore Business major said. “I wasn’t talking to people, like I’m normally happy and sociable.”
Throughout this entire situation, the hardest part for Hurst wasn’t coming to terms with the illness, but the reaction he received from his parents.
“As an African American male, there’s this stigma that you should always be tough, or never show signs of weakness and emotions,” said Hurst. “They asked, how could you be depressed and we provided you with so much.”
Studies show suicide is the third leading cause of death among African Americans ages 15 to 24. Additionally, African American men are four times more likely to commit suicide than African American women.
With the loss of his grandmother and the pressures of societal bullying weighing on him, he decided it was time to seek help. In addition to meditating and watching TED talks as anxiety relief, Hurst confided in psychologists at CAPS.
CAPS is the Counseling and Psychological Services at the University of Arkansas with the aim of helping students navigate the pressures of college-life.
“CAPS has helped me a lot because I know that there is someone I can talk to.” said Hurst. “It also helped me be able to speak to my parents more about my struggle.”
He doesn’t stop there, he want other students going through the same issues to also speak to someone, and to keep pushing yourself through hard times.
CAPS is located on second floor of the Pat Walker Health Center and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays.