By: Kalyn Jackson
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.— For many people the COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a challenge as it has taken a toll on their mental health.
University of Arkansas student Jacoby Hurst has battled with his mental health for years. Hurst said he has taken this time to create a better him, yet his lack of social interaction due to COVID has sent him into a depressive state at times.
“I had to try and push myself out of that depression by finding hobbies, bonding with my parents more and interacting in the most safest and easiest way I could find,” said Hurst.
Hurst works as a Resident Assistant on campus and said his job serves as a support even though there were times his mental health state affected that. “I was going through a lot of things my sophomore year,” said Hurst, “It very much hindered my ability to be the best RA I wanted to be.
With mental health being a taboo topic in the black community Hurst said it only makes things worse.
“It’s hard to ever talk about how you feel because you always have to feel a certain way about things,” said Hurst, “We have to fight for basic rights and continuously fight for equality and equity that we have to endure and sometimes we forget to care for ourselves.”
This past summer the hashtag #BlackatUARK was created calling attention to issues and racism black students have faced on campus.
Hurst tweeted about his experience being denied access to the only black therapist available on campus. “I was very shocked that I couldn’t request who I wanted to talk to,” said Hurst.
Associated Student Government Director of Mental Health Tamia White said it’s all in representation. “Representation matters, if you can see somebody who looks like you who has been through the same things as you, you’re able to be more vulnerable with them,” White said.
White has made it her mission to help others after her own personal struggles with mental health.
“I want to make sure people like me who felt they didn’t have anyone else to talk to know that there are plenty of people out here that will care about you and love you,” said White.
Mental health resources are available on campus at the center for Counseling and Psychological Services.
For more information visit https://health.uark.edu/mental-health/index.php