It’s common to bottle emotional struggles up. Push them down.
Pretend they don’t exist or keep them to yourself.
To rationalize, trivialize, try to will problems away.
Despite an increase in depression and anxiety, college students often don’t believe they need help.
We’re breaking the pattern of inertia and tearing down mental and emotional barriers to seeking care. By encouraging students to overcome the tendency to box up, suppress, or internalize emotional hardships, Unboxed advocates for an honest dialogue about mental health. As a resource-ready ally, we’re getting young people at IU to unpack the stress and pressures of life — to reach out and open up.
The initiative is designed to make help-seeking more approachable, and to normalize the conversation among peers.
With digital and printed signage, we’re reaching college students where they roam: academic buildings, gyms and rec centers, residence and dining halls, and more.
To point students on the path of mental healthiness, we shared a little surprise. During midterms — one of the times during the semester students report as being particularly stressful — we gifted mental health care packages to students across our network of campuses.
When students unboxed their care packages, they found a few helpful, everyday self-care items. The boxes were adorned with messages of support on the inside, and a card letting them know where they could turn for mental health resources.
Wearable designs and messaging encourage students to become casual ambassadors for opening up about mental health. They also provide a link to support resources and advocate a broader environment of acceptance and inclusivity.
