Tarun Jassi, a Lethbridge College student, admits his mental health suffered for many months, as he has struggled as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I felt very unmotivated, very sluggish. I wasn’t really happy with myself and procrastinated a lot,” says Jassi, as if he were alone in the darkness, with a storm pouring over him, heavily affecting his work and education.
His grandfather’s passing last year, followed by a breakup several months after, also led to depression. At the same time, isolation stemming from government-mandated pandemic restrictions only made his circumstances worse.
But, Jassi says he was able to overcome his challenges with the support of friends. The invitations to play games or hang out online made a big difference in his life.
To keep moving forward and to help motivate him, he also started working out.
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“So, I hit the gym naturally, you know, I lost about 45 pounds now. I was pretty chunky back in the day,” says Jassi with a laugh.
The college is also trying its best to help students amid the pandemic, offering programs and even mental health first aid training to allow students to support their classmates and friends.
Ashley Amson, the health promotion coordinator of Wellness Services at the college, implores students to reach out.
“I can’t even imagine what they’re going through right now,” says Amson. “If students are seeking different opportunities or if they’re looking for different kinds of help, to please reach out.”
Wellness Services, Accessibility Services, and the Lethbridge College Student Association have also created an initiative called a round table session, creating an online space through Zoom for students to connect and chat with each other.
In addition to this, there are a variety of professionals waiting to help students in any way they can.
“There are a number of individuals and wellness services like myself, like Emily Spencer, like Steve Johnson that are available to support students in any capacity that we can,” said Amson.
For more information, additional details and contact information can be found at the Wellness Services website.
