September 17, 2026
As an aspiring psychiatrist, Alexander knows how important it is to pay attention to what your brain is telling you. It’s true all the time, but it’s especially true in college.
“Mental health is such a big topic that I don’t think we could ever talk enough about. Your brain is everything, really, so if you're feeling sad or isolated, there are a lot of experiences that you can miss out on,” Alexander explains. “It can affect your academics, your social life and really anything, so it’s really important to talk to people and ask for help because there are so many places where you can find it.”
After coming through a difficult period with his own mental health during high school, Alexander realized he wanted to help others going through similar challenges. His career goals are a way to do that in the long-term, but getting involved with Out of the Darkness UNL gave him an outlet to raise awareness about mental health as soon as he became a Husker.
“I was doing research on clubs that felt meaningful to me, and Out of the Darkness UNL made so much sense,” he says. “It’s a club that raises awareness about mental health. We have speakers and meetings throughout the year, but our main event is a walk in the spring that raises money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.”
The annual walk, he says, is also a reminder that even though our brains can make us feel alone, many people around us are also battling things we can't see. Acknowledging our struggles together can make them a little easier to manage.
“We truly never know what anyone is going through, so I think it’s important to just name these things for others. I've learned that talking to people can bring so much relief and help you realize that you don’t need to have all the answers right away.”
Campus resources like Counseling & Psychological Services, the Well-Being Collective, the Center for Academic Success and Transition or the Center for Advocacy, Response and Education can all provide direct support and point any Husker where they need to go to get the help they need.
Sometimes, though, the brain is just asking for quick reset, and Alexander says there are many simple ways he likes to give his a break.
“So many different aspects of college life can really drain you, so I’ve learned to take little resets and breaks all the time — and I’ve learned that social media is definitely not the best thing to turn to when you’re feeling like you need a break. I love to go for a walk around campus and listen to music because any kind of movement can really help. Plus, if go for a walk you might see some familiar faces that remind you that you’re not alone.”
If you are feeling stressed, anxious, hopeless, isolated, on edge or having suicidal thoughts, help is available 24/7.
Counseling & Psychological Services: 402.472.7450 (Follow prompts for help after hours)
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: Text or Call 988
Alexander Pena Ibanez is a sophomore biology major from Lincoln, Nebraska.