Recognising the need for support

In recent weeks, two events have occurred that have impacted myself and close family significantly. They need not be elaborated on here, but for saying, that it caused me to stop for a short moment and ponder if I would need some help or support—both academically and personally—over the coming weeks and months.

Working towards a degree in medicine, paramedicine and any other allied health subject can be a huge undertaking. The work required is hard—academically, physically, and mentally. When this is coupled with life outside of lectures, lab classes and placements, it can often feel like one is trying to balance many differing boxes or trying to spin many differing plates, as seen in circuses throughout the world (and which appeared frequently on the BBC's Generation Game in my youth). As a result, it can be easy for problems to arise or for a small issue to soon develop into a big problem—postentially causing an increase in stress, anxiety, and possibly further mental health issues. I am now realising that feeling overwhelmed is a perfectly normal reaction and a good first sign that it may be worth talking to someone. As the adage goes, ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’, although in reality it may not quite be the case!