My Life on the Edge: Commuting, Studying, and the Mental Health Crisis
My name is Joseph Gordon, a dedicated full-time International Relations student, passionately advocates for equitable access to mental health services and care for Black and marginalized communities.
My story takes place in the Fall semester of 2023. Every Sunday night, the dread sets in. It’s not just the start of another week; it’s the start of another battle. I juggle classes, projects, and exams as a full-time International Relations student. On top of that, I work full-time at a tech startup—a high-pressure world where you’re expected to be “always on.” And then there’s the commute: over an hour to campus.
Monday mornings start before dawn. I wake up early to beat the worst of the traffic, but it’s still a constant source of stress. I’m always worried about being late and often arrive on campus already tired, my mind racing with everything I have to do. My classes are packed with lectures, and I’m constantly getting Slack messages from my startup coworkers. Lunch is usually in my car in a far-off parking lot, eating a quick meal while answering emails and trying to squeeze in some studying.
Afternoons are just more classes, followed by immediate online work. There is no office commute, but there is no break either. The “always on, always productive” startup culture is relentless, especially after a full morning of classes and that draining commute.
As the week goes on, the stress just builds. I’m constantly sleep-deprived, and the long hours commuting make it even worse. It’s harder to focus and concentrate, and I’m always anxious. The pressure to keep up with school and work feels crushing, especially knowing how much time I’m losing just sitting in traffic.
I’m wiped out by Friday—physically, mentally, and emotionally. I drag myself through my last classes and work. The weekend, which should be for rest, is usually spent catching up on schoolwork, finishing startup tasks, or just trying to recover from the week. Then, Sunday night rolls around, and the dread starts again—another week of pressure, traffic, deadlines, and feeling like I’m failing.
Finding time for mental health support feels impossible. How can I fit in an appointment when my schedule is overflowing with classes, work, and that endless commute? But my struggle isn’t unique. It’s a bigger, systemic problem. Black Americans ages 18-32 face considerable disparities in access to mental health care. We’re more likely to experience emotional distress but less likely to get treatment. This is due to factors like lack of insurance, bias from health care providers, the stigma around mental illness, and not enough Black mental health professionals.
We need to stop just talking about this crisis and do something. We need to fight for policies that make mental health care affordable and accessible, address the systemic inequalities that make it harder for the Black community and marginalized groups to get help, and break down the stigma around mental illness. This means:
- More Funding: We need increased funding for community-based mental health programs, especially those that serve Black and marginalized communities.
- Insurance Reform: Everyone should have access to affordable mental health care through their insurance.
- More Black Therapists: Programs should be established to train and hire more Black mental health professionals.
- Culturally Competent Care: All mental health providers need training to understand and address their biases and the specific needs of different cultural groups.
- Community Outreach: We must support programs that raise awareness about mental health and reduce stigma in Black communities.
- Support for Students: Colleges must ensure mental health resources are easy to find and accessible to all students, especially those dealing with extra stress like commuting or working full-time.
My experience and the reality of these systematic disparities show how urgently we need change. We need to make sure mental health care is a right, not a privilege, for everyone, no matter their race, income, or situation.
Gordon, Joseph, NY