Post Grad Mental Health: Let’s Discuss

Graduating is a major accomplishment. But, you already know that. What is not talked about, is the toll it takes on mental health. Right after graduation, a person is faced with the harsh reality of the world. Start making money, in order to be a functioning part of society.

It’s a little hard to do that when you are graduating at the tail end of a global pandemic and the job market is awful. Not too many companies were looking to take on a freshly graduated employee. Or any, at that rate.

I remember the day I graduated college. My ceremony was at 9:00 in the morning. It was so early. The entire morning was spent consumed in anxiety with a touch of sadness. Weird, I know. I was so excited during the days leading up to it. However, once graduation day came, the excitement dissipated.

I am the first one in my immediate family to graduate with my bachelors degree. Graduating should be a remarkable time in my life. So you’d think. I found myself to be nonchalant about this whole situation. I think because I knew what was going to happen as soon as I got my diploma. I had to get a job.

Again, it was a little hard to do so when no one was hiring.

Fast forward to the hours after my ceremony. I came home to balloons and a card from my family. Now, my family isn’t one to shower my siblings and I in gifts. We were told “this is what you should be doing, we don’t need to reward you for doing something most people do”. Which was unfortunate. I felt like my family didn’t really have my back or was even proud of me for graduating.

I opened the card to read “Congrats, we love you”. It’s the thought that counts, I know. But this was my college graduation. I went beyond what my parents have accomplished and all I got was a card and balloons.

I felt defeated in a way.

I spent 4 years in college to not only graduate without a job lined up, but without the verbal support of my family. Which I clearly needed.

Side note, I remember my dad was renovating our kitchen during this time. He made it seem as though the renovation was slightly more important than attending my graduation. He had to hurry back to finish with the kitchen. As if it were going to sprout legs and run away and he’d never be able to finish.

For the rest of the day, I sat in my bed. A couple of hours ago, I was walking across the stage receiving my diploma and now, I’m sitting in my bed, moping.

So, long story short. All of the stress about finding a job, post graduation plus finding myself to be depressed did not allow for a joyful time.

When this wave of sadness struck, I secluded myself. I wanted nothing to do with any of my friends. I even distanced myself from my family. As much as I could.

I was so alone.

It sucked. I felt like I had no one to turn to. Even though I did this to myself. Kind of. I pushed everyone away for what? What did I gain from this? Even more depression. That’s what.

All in all, when a major life event is happening, do not take it for granted. Embrace every moment you have and really cherish the memories you are making.

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