Editor’s note: This story contains references to heightened anxiety and seeking mental help resources.

As midterm season comes to a close, many students say they have experienced heightened levels of anxiety due to the longstanding effects of Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota.

Gaomong Xiong felt that heightened level of anxiety this winter, especially during the height of Operation Metro Surge. 

“I felt like there were things out of my control, and it was happening in my city,” Xiong said. “It was really heartbreaking and just a lot to process.”

Xiong used to take walks to relieve her stress. Due in part to what Xiong said was a lackluster response to ICE on campus from the University of Minnesota, she did not feel safe doing so, and her mental health suffered because of it.

Not all students think the University responded poorly to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s presence in the Twin Cities. Ishan Panwar understands why the University did not take a strong stance against ICE, noting the importance of securing federal grants to its operations. 

“The U is a major receiver of federal grants, and I don’t think the government is going to think twice before holding them off,” Panwar said.  

Knolan Wattnem believes the University responded well to ICE on campus. Wattnem lives in a fraternity on the St. Paul campus and rarely felt ICE’s presence in the winter. 

“Having students being able to attend class online was really good, and [the University] being vocal about what was going on,” Wattnem said. “So students knew [the University] was recognizing what was going on.” 

For many students, the stress originated not from concerns of their personal safety, but from a duty to fight for what they believe is right. 

Noami Breeden is an active member of the University’s Students for a Democratic Society. She has worked with groups outside of campus to organize protests against ICE’s activities, such as those at the Graduate Hotel. 

This work, Breeden said, translated to more anxiety.

“Being within rapid response group chats and knowing and seeing photos, my stress was definitely high,” Breeden said. 

Regardless of how much the University’s response to federal law enforcement activity on campus affected students, midterms were commonly cited as a top stressor. 

Breeden had several projects and midterms due before spring break. She uses breaks from her schoolwork to relieve stress, but has sought out mental health resources at the University in previous years, which panned out to be a disappointing experience.

“I tried getting a therapist last semester, but it was a very long wait time, so that didn’t necessarily help with anything,” Breeden said. 

Breeden believes students’ tuition should be used for expanding the number of licensed mental health professionals. The University offers a mental health crisis hotline, but notes this is not a substitute for therapy.

Panwar believes all mental health resources should be free to students. Some resources are free, but others require payment. 

“Mental health help, especially, shouldn’t be paid,” Panwar said. 

As a result of often inaccessible mental health services, students have found relief from their academic stress through their professors and teaching assistants. Prestan Lilliberg is one of these students. He has turned to his professors during moments of stress. 

“I think the professors are really good if you ask for help,” Lilliberg said. “Most of my professors will stay back and talk with me after class.”