How to help your college student cope with stress and mental illness

While living in a new environment, pile on the stress of making friends, being an “adult,” and maintaining good grades. It’s a lot of pressure for even the most mature student. It’s not out of the ordinary for a new college student to exhibit signs of stress or anxiety. In some cases mental health concerns may even be elevated. In an article from BestColleges.com a study that was conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness found the following:

• One in four students has a diagnosable illness

• 40 percent do not seek help

• 80 percent feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities

• 50 percent have been so anxious they struggled in school

Don’t allow this information to startle you. Instead, allow it to empower you with the knowledge of what your child might be experiencing. In these moments, parents have a tendency to jump in and immediately try to fix a situation. You can’t “fix” the feelings of being overwhelmed, you can’t remove anxiety from your child’s body, and you certainly can’t make their depression go away with a pep talk. So, what do you do? Each one of these situations is different. If you think your son or daughter needs to meet with a medical professional, urge your child to make an appointment and communicate with them to ensure that it gets done. Give your son or daughter the opportunity to make the appointment themselves before you jump right into “fix it” mode. Many college campuses have a licensed mental health professional on campus who is armed with an arsenal of tools to treat these common afflictions.

The feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed are common on all college campuses, especially with finals right around the corner. However, situations that make college students feel anxious don’t always require medical help. It’s important to assess the situation to determine the best plan of action. The American College Health Association has reported that, "Nearly one in six college students have been diagnosed or treated for anxiety within the last 12 months." The pressures of maintaining grades, a social life, and even the pressure from “helicopter parents” can attribute to an increase in anxiety.

Universities are well aware of these growing statistics. Workshops are available to educate students on how to deal with stress and feelings of being overwhelmed. Many campuses even distribute free stress kits to help students evaluate and learn to control their anxiety.

The college experience is a stepping-stone to what students will likely experience in the working world. College is a place where students learn the importance of being an advocate for themselves. Of course parents should be involved, but be mindful of when you need to take action, or help by effectively remaining a coach on the sidelines. You’re the parent. You know best. Allow logic to guide you instead of your emotions.

Only a few short weeks until the holiday season is upon us and you’re preparing your home to have your child back in the house!