Graphic courtesy of Sofía García Vargas
By Molly Ryan
For me, it’s easy to laugh and dismiss my stress by saying, “I guess that’s just the grind.”
But it’s not “just the grind,” it’s a fear of failure paired with a case of early burnout – something all too familiar to many college students.
While Global Suicide Prevention Month comes to an end amid the settling dust of a return to on-campus classes, a harmful emphasis on “grind” and “hustle” culture prevails.
Students who experience a lack of motivation are sometimes mislabeled as lazy and undisciplined – sending the overarching message that if they aren’t pushing themselves to the limit and enjoying it, they aren’t doing enough.
With social media serving as a guiding force for public opinion, the facade of a perfect work-life balance and a love for “the grind” is easier than ever to portray.
Erin Griffith of the New York Times calls this phenomenon “performative workaholism.”
In a 2019 Forbes article, Samantha Radocchia wrote, “The idea that constantly working (or appearing to work) is a desirable trait for entrepreneurs and employees has gained a lot of traction in recent years… Understand that hustle culture comes from a place of fear.”
The fear of failure becomes especially prevalent during college and at the start of one’s professional career.
Mediation services are available on campus, such as counseling services at the Wellness Center.
However, if a student has felt as I have in the past, they might think their lack of motivation is a result of laziness – not a result of poor mental health.
On the other hand, overambition and pushing oneself to the limits of their mental fortitude at the expense of societal pressures is also detrimental.
In 2019, a 25-year-old University of Florida graduate student studying at the Moffit Cancer Center, Thao Thi Thann Tran, ended her life when she jumped from the Richard F. Beard parking garage at the USF Tampa campus.
According to the public safety alert issued by USFPD, her death was likely related to “personal stress.”
With September serving as Global Suicide Prevention Month, it is imperative to honor Tran’s life as more than just a precautionary tale about the tolls of stress.
“It’s important for all of us to pay attention to [suicide] and provide support in any way we can,” said Dr. Anita Sahgal-Patel, the director of the Wellness Center. “Suicide impacts everyone but the traditional college age population can be especially at risk so it’s something we want to be aware of and respond to.”
Students like Katie Richards, a biomedical sciences freshman at USF St. Petersburg, feel that suicide should be “an easier topic of discussion.”
“People need to understand [suicide] doesn’t only affect people who have severe mental health issues that are diagnosed,” Richards said. “It crosses all age ranges, and it doesn’t only affect people with severe stressors but can affect people who live the most stable and simple lives.”
With this, the effort to combat the wounds of ‘hustle culture’ is more than just “taking it easy”- it’s taking a look at the conditions and the pressures that perpetuate the push for the perfect ‘grindset.’
I know for me, sometimes “nothing” is the best I can do that day.
If you or someone you know is experiencing feelings of anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts, the following resources are available for assistance.
**National Suicide Hotline (800)-273-8255
**National Crisis Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE
**Crisis Center of Tampa Bay (813)-964-1964
** USF St Petersburg Wellness Center at (727)-873-4422
**Pinellas County Help Line: 211 or (727)-210-4211
**Hillsborough County Crisis Hotline: (813)-234-1234
**Winn Team: (727)-548-5733
