Last school year was one of the most turbulent times for higher education in recent memory. As the fall semester begins, it seems that college protests over the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict are not slowing down. With three-fifths of U.S. colleges having protests last school year and encampments on over 130 campuses across the country, it’s more likely than not that you have or will experience this at your school. University administrators have been reacting in various ways to student activism, from canceling graduations to involving the police to arresting or dismissing students from school, and many schools have begun this school year with all-out encampment bans. 
Dr. Annelle B. Primm
On the other side of the protests, there was also an increase in antisemitic rhetoric on campus, which continues to this day. And all of this is happening to a group of students who’ve been through quite a lot already. Many of you have been juggling the impact of the pandemic and skyrocketing costs of living and higher education – while coming of age during the George Floyd protests and the overturn of Affirmative Action by the Supreme Court.
Whether you joined an encampment, protested, or just wanted to keep your head down, many students across the board felt unsafe, unseen, and unprotected at their schools last year. The divisive rhetoric and broken trust between students and administrators continue into this year, adding to a mental health crisis that’s already been affecting young people at higher rates in recent years.
So, what can you do about it? Start by taking care of yourself. At The Steve Fund, we’ve spent years understanding the impact of mental health stressors on young people of color and researching the best ways to deal with them. Students—especially students of color—are deeply impacted by today’s tumultuous news cycle. Recovering from last school year and beginning this school year means acknowledging campus protests' impact on you and your peers.
One way to start is by creating spaces where you and your fellow students can openly discuss your experiences. Think about mental health summits, wellness circles, or even regular meet-ups where people feel safe sharing. Make mental health a natural part of the conversation. Learn to recognize the signs of burnout in yourself and others—depression, withdrawal, cynicism, fatigue, anger, frustration—and address them head-on. Additionally, don’t forget to take stock of your social capital and support in your life and at your disposal: friends, family, mentors, and personal and professional networks.
