Mental Health: Is your College Student Prepared?

Is your student ready for the mental health challenges of college? I imagine, you have taken them for their vaccinations. I don\’t doubt that you stopped at the drug store and grabbed a small first aid kit, some cold and flu medicine, the essentials. No doubt, you made sure their current prescriptions are filled and have a plan so they get their refills. They have been to the dentist and gotten a cleaning before going to school. Could they be any healthier? No doubt they are well prepared. But, have you talked about mental health? Does your youth know what depression, anxiety, addition and other mental illnesses look like? It may be that they are the ones that will struggle or it may be one of their friends. It really doesn\’t matter because the result is the same if they are ill informed, lost as to what to do, they will stress and panic. You might have talked with them about what to do when a friend is intoxicated and when to call 911. This is no different. We prepare our youth so that they are empowered to get themselves and those around them help.

As you pack them up, ship them out, and get them settled in a new environment what are some things that you need to remember? Of course, there is the never-ending list of dorm decorations, school supplies, tech gear, and the like. Perhaps the nervous freshman reviewed their class schedule and searched out the buildings. This is an exciting time for most young adults, but it doesn’t come without stress.

In the hustle and bustle of getting them settled did you make sure your young adult knew where the counseling center was? Most parents state that their child is ready and excited about college. That is great. But the fact is that any and all change brings on stress. Think about yourselves making a great move to a better place but leaving friends, family, and much of what you know. Even good changes can be challenges.

College is not high school. Overnight your young adult will assume far more responsibility for their education than ever before. They will become their own advocate, keep themselves accountable for studying, and organize their lives on campus. This is a time of growth and these changes although important to their development can be overwhelming.

Where is all this stress supposed to go? Some students do an excellent job at finding friends they can talk to, activities that decrease stress, and learn to accept imperfection. Not every student will be able to make this transition on their own. The majority will benefit greatly from a supported transition.
So where was that counseling center? Is it taboo to enter through those doors and admit you need help? Our youth look to their family and society when considering whether or not to ask for help. Society does not support mental health. The stigma is high and discourages individuals that need help from reaching out. You as a family support system have the ability to normalize counseling. Counseling centers did not arise on college campus’s incidentally. They were recognized to be as important as the library and student health.

Asking to see someone does not mean that you have a diagnosed mental health condition that will follow you for the rest of your life. Many of those students could likely be diagnosed with adjustment disorder which is just as it sounds, stress related to a major life transition. Going for a few sessions to learn some coping skills, talk through the stress, and work out a plan to get through the semester may be what helps makes this a happy, healthy semester.

Some students will need more help. No parent wants to believe their child is sick. Every student deserves to have a positive and healthy college experience. However, statistics tell us that will not happen. The most severe mental illnesses are identified in the late teens and early 20s. A young adult previously unaffected could develop a serious mental illness. This is something most parents don’t want to think about, let alone discuss. But refusing to address the issue can be devastating. Don’t let you child be the victim of suicide, self-harm, drug overdose, or the deep pain of depression. Help them to understand mental illness and the importance of getting help.

Ultimately college can be an amazing time in any young adult’s life. It can be the time where they explore new hobbies, make new friends, and find out what they want to do with the rest of their life. Whether your child struggles with the transition or a mental illness these things are all still possible. Through counseling, medication, and support most youth will continue to thrive. Mental health can be an obstacle, but it is not a dead end. Talk with the young adult in your life to make sure they are aware for themselves and their friends.

You can also check out the news section of our website. Scroll through and you will find several videos on healthy coping skills. This can be a great resource for students and parents. https://woodruff-counseling.com/news/