Here we are at one of the best universities in the world. With achievements piled up as high as the stack of books (not necessarily all read) on each of our desks, we are considered among the brightest of our generation. That in itself is a terrifying thought – at least for the majority of us. Far more unsettling though is the fact that for all our supposed intelligence, our towers of achievement can be toppled just as easily as anybody else’s. Each of us has been able to use our mind as a key to this renowned centre of learning but few of us consider the possibility that we may lose control of this, our passport to Cambridge.

‘Madness’ has always had a role to play here. The list of alumni who have gone on to be either diagnosed as mentally ill or suspected to be so expands day on day. The self-reflection, sensitivity and constant rumination that is a common trait among Cambridge students is also a common symptom among those suffering from depression or anxiety. Add in the fact that stress and a loss of self-esteem are often triggers to many different mental illnesses and the extent of the problem becomes clearer. Despite the prevalence of mental health issues at the university, many old ideas and harmful attitudes to such illness continue to exist.

It is now my fourth year at Cambridge and throughout I have seen people go through unnecessary suffering due to both their own misunderstanding and that of those around them. I have been shocked to hear seemingly intelligent people say that the mentally ill cannot be trusted, are immature or are merely seeking attention. I have been equally surprised to hear from sufferers that they deserve their illness – that it is a punishment of sorts. Upon questioning, there is never an underlying reason why this should be – just a conviction that it must be so. Misguided individuals from both parties contribute to the stigma that exists and they all need to reevaluate their attitudes in order for the situation to improve.

Firstly, let me take the views of some of the sufferers themselves:

‘No one or nothing can help’ – That is the voice of despair and hopelessness speaking. It is not true. The danger with this opinion is that a sufferer may not seek the help they need. This is available in a wide variety of people and therapies: friends, tutor, college nurse, GP, UCS counsellor, psychologist, psychiatrist, medication, CBT therapy… Not all of these will work, most of them will take a frustrating amount of time to do so, but eventually something will help.

‘I am weak’ – This is a common thought both to those who have just recently fallen ill and those who have suffered from mental illness for years. Mental illness can affect anyone and it is not the fault of the sufferer. In believing this statement, a person robs themselves of the strength they will need to cope with their illness.

‘I am eccentric’ – Well, at Cambridge, this one is probably true. However, when eccentricity starts to have a negative impact on your life it is time to question what lies at the root of it all. Sometimes, the answer will just be that you are a very odd individual – and there is no harm in that at all. However, at other times, certain strange and uncharacteristic behavior can point to a mental health problem. Often friends will be the first to notice any significant changes therefore it is worth listening to them if they have any concerns.

Let us now turn to the views of those we tentatively deem ‘sane’:

‘It won’t happen to me’ – I sincerely hope it doesn’t but no one can guarantee this. This view implies that a person has control over the misfortune that befalls them. It is true that, just like physical health, there are measures that can be put in place to diminish the risk of mental illness but, also just like physical health, illness can come to anyone at any time, regardless of the care they take. This attitude inadvertently criticizes the mentally ill by suggesting that there was something that they could have done to avoid their illness.

‘Best not to speak about it’ – Mental illness is not contagious so what harm could possibly befall anyone in speaking about it? Much has been done already to decrease the taboo of mental illness with terms such as Winston Churchill’s famous ‘black dog’ allowing people to understand more fully and to talk more freely about madness. Just like the severity of illness differs so does the individual’s ‘black dog’. This persistent follower can range from a black Chihuahua puppy in your handbag to a humongous rabid Rottweiler, frothing at the teeth with its jaw clenched about your neck. Speaking about it can help both sufferer and friend to gage where they are on the scale and the level of support they need.

‘They’re keeping up with work – they must be fine’ – The effect on a person’s work is a common measure used by friends and staff alike to judge how ill someone is. Many students who suffer from mental illness see this as flawed. It is fair to say that for some, a symptom of their illness could be the complete inability to work. However, for others, work is another way to withdraw into themselves away from company – itself a symptom of many mental illnesses. Society tends to picture busy people as those enjoying all that life offers. However, many sufferers fill up their time so completely that they do not have a chance to consider their mental wellbeing. Avoidance as a solution in the short term may seem like the best option but it can lead to extreme and sudden mental distress, with lasting consequences.

And so I leave you with one final view that is shared by both parties:

‘It is not a laughing matter’ – I must admit that this statement is intrinsically true. However, it often helps both sufferers and their friends to turn the awful absurdity of the situation into a laughing matter. There is something deliciously English about being able to find the humour, however dark, in any situation. It is quite simply a case of ‘you either laugh or cry’ – and if you’re mad, chances are you’re crying anyway so why not laugh, too?