Friends are some of the greatest things in the world, but there are many different types of friendships. Some friends are just acquaintances, ones that you see on the street and say “hi” to every time you pass by. Other friends can be the ones that you hang out with on a weekend or just have fun with for a night. Then there are the real friends: those who aren’t afraid to ask what’s wrong or listen when you truly need someone.

Mental illness is a serious matter at our universities. Many people on our campus ignore it when they have a mental illness problem, or they won’t admit it to themselves. I’ll admit that I, too, can be one of those people sometimes. It’s important to know that you’re not alone. There are many people who are out there to listen to you. Close friends, parents, Resident Assistants and classmates are just a few examples. I know that one of the main reasons that I became a Student Senator was to listen to what other students had to say. It doesn’t always have to be school-related; I’m here to listen. However, if you feel that you need someone else to confide in, then maybe you should look into our Student Health Services available on campus at Royce Hall.

People say that time heals all, but that’s not always true. Recent events on campuses all around the nation have proven that. School shootings have become more common, and one thing that people can do to help prevent these incidents is to be a friend. If you’re interested in learning how to help out a friend, please go to the web site whatadifference.org. Being a friend can make a significant difference in one person’s life.

Christopher R. Smith
Senior
Broad Field Science