MENTAL HEALTH — It’s normal to feel some anxiety about sending your child go to college. Your kid will be going through a lot of change, whether they’re relocating across the world or just down the street. Yes, you are, too. Even while most of these changes will be positive, college isn’t a bed of roses. There are also some tense moments. Your kid will develop in just about every way imaginable. Your child will undoubtedly experience some growing pains as they navigate college life, whether it is adjusting to living with roommates, tackling challenging schoolwork, managing time and money, or selecting a major.
Mental health can be impacted by the stress associated with normal adolescent development. It’s true that you can’t (or shouldn’t) be as involved as you were when your child was younger. There is still a lot you can do to ensure a safe and happy transition to college for your child. Psychologist Susan Albers, PsyD, spoke with us about the unique mental health issues that college students encounter and how you can support your child through this transition. Reasons why college students’ mental health can be a challenge.
Several factors contribute to the prevalence of mental health problems on college campuses, but Dr. Albers cites a lack of funding for student services as the most significant. Many new students have been diagnosed with mental health issues and will require specialized support services once they enroll in college. Others experience the onset of mental health problems during their time at college. Even those students require assistance.
College students are at a higher risk for developing mental health difficulties, or showing more symptoms, due in part to their younger age. People between the ages of 17 and 22 may still be in the midst of puberty because of the hormonal changes they are undergoing. The same holds true for their minds. Even if there are no external reasons leading to additional stress, adolescence and early adulthood are common times for mental health problems to manifest (or significantly worsen). However, many extraneous factors contribute to college students’ mental health issues and stress levels.
Whether someone has a mental illness or not, school can affect their emotional and physical health. This is a time of great change and pressure. Add substance (mis)use, sleep deprivation, poor diet, and infectious disease exposure, and you have a perfect storm. Parents of college-bound students: advice
Not all news is bad. You can do a lot to assist your college student succeed without visiting campus. Helping your child manage their mental health and recover from setbacks is as important as what they learn in school.
How can you help? Dr. Albers suggests these.
Evaluate campus resources.
You want to set up a mental health safety net before your child needs it. However, college freshmen may find that difficult. The first few months will be busy for your child. They may neglect to learn about all their resources. “Maybe that can be the parent’s role—finding out what resources exist on and off campus,” Dr. Albers offers. She adds that many colleges are using telehealth platforms to enhance mental health services due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s growth in student mental health difficulties.
Learn about all the possibilities and let your child choose the services they prefer.
Remember that your child has other on-campus support systems besides mental health. Dr. Albers proposes further considering: Event and class stress management. That might be yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, or art therapy.
Stress-free areas. Some campuses feature health or relaxation facilities for overburdened students.
Gyms. Exercise relieves stress, and intramural groups and classes allow students to have exercise and social interaction. Local parks and greenery.
Whether it’s the quad, the school arboretum, a neighboring hiking trail, or a city rooftop garden, being in nature can improve your mental health. Support for nutrition. Dietitians assist pupils striving to eat healthier in several schools. College campuses often feature food pantries, cooking classes, and eating disorder support groups.
Affinity groups. Marginalized students often have more school stress.
In addition to LGBTQIA+, international, religious, and BIPOC student centers, student-run clubs support and empower disadvantaged communities. Help your student register for accommodations if needed.
If your child has a documented handicap, they should register with the campus disability resources department immediately.
Dr. Albers suggests reminding your child of three crucial factors if they’re reluctant to register: Being given disability accommodations is different from using them.
Since accommodations can’t be supplied retroactively, they should set them up beforehand.
Nobody save the disability resource office will know their situation. Student disclosure is their choice.
Getting enrolled with disability resources might be difficult and requires contacting their care team back home. You can’t attend accommodations meetings for your child but helping them acquire all the paperwork could save time and stress.
Ensure care continuity.
Campus counseling services don’t specialize in long-term aid. If your child sees a therapist for pre-existing mental health difficulties, connecting them to a local counselor or setting up telehealth visits with their current provider may provide some much-needed constancy during large changes. It’s also an excellent time to explain health insurance and therapy selection.
Regularly check on your child.
Dr. Albers says mental health starts with healthy eating, exercise, and sleep. Many new college students aren’t used to handling them and don’t prioritize them. When possible, she recommends video chatting with your college student. That way, you can observe whether they’re weary, not eating well, etc.”
Meet their buddies.
Never underestimate the value of knowing your child’s friends. Creating those relationships also provides another safety net. Dr. Albers advises giving people your contact information so they can feel comfortable talking to you about your child. “And let them know that’s OK.”
Listen without judging.
College should be difficult. That’s good. If your child has mental health concerns, the increased strain might cause mistakes, missed chances, and bad judgment. No parent wants to hear their child skipped courses, failed an exam, was arrested, or overdrew, but reacting negatively is harmful. Listening without judgment is difficult for parents, says Dr. Albers. “But it’s critical to making sure your child is talking about mental health struggles.”
Help where you can.
You can’t force your college-aged child sleep enough, eat well, or exercise, but you can help. Give your child the resources they need. When their budget is tight, some parents send cash. Others may put together a care box. Ask local parents if they like a home-cooked supper. If your child is homesick, make a family video call. Helping your child meet their basic needs may alleviate stress or free up brain capacity for higher-order problems.
Encourage them to seek aid
If your family stigmatizes seeking assistance, hearing that your child has mental health concerns can be distressing. Make sure to leave your negative thoughts about mental illness, counseling, and pharmaceuticals at the door. Talk about mental health openly and without judgment. Support your child’s efforts to receive help from a therapist, tutor, affinity group, or disability resources.
Life lessons
Knowing that college campuses are experiencing a mental health crisis makes witnessing your child transfer to secondary school terrifying. In the future, your child will experience obstacles, but also chances. With your help, your kid can identify and treat mental health issues and become comfortable asking for help.
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