For any young adult stepping into a whole different kind of curriculum and trying to cultivate new friendships and make important life choices, college can be an incredibly stressful time.
Being out of the family home for the first time and without their usual parental or sibling support system can often feel overwhelming, especially if a teen lives with mental health issues. According to Bloom Health Centers, anxiety is “the most prevalent mental health disorder on college campuses with more than 41% of students experiencing anxiety.”
Beyond experiencing anxiety, many college students live with a variety of other mental health issues, including depression, OCD, disordered eating, and bipolar disorder.
As a parent, there are a number of important things you can facilitate and address with your teenager heading to college that should make a positive impact while also helping to make that often scary transition period a little easier.
Let’s take a look at how you can support your teen’s mental health when they begin college.
Encourage your teen to connect with their school’s mental health center before they even start classes.
One way you can ensure that your teen will at least have some semblance of a professional support system while at school is by checking out what mental health services are offered before they even step foot on campus.
The New York Times notes that a lot of post-secondary colleges and universities offer both counselling and psychiatry medical professionals who are well-trained in helping people deal with everything from suicidal thoughts to emotional disorders.
The outlet suggests making a phone call or even shooting them an email and asking what mental health services and accommodations are available for students and if they offer off-campus referrals. Both you and your teen can get a full rundown of the services provided and when they’re available, and you might even find that just having that information in both of your arsenals allows for some peace of mind.
Help your teen develop a mental health plan that’s already in motion when times get tough or overwhelming.
One thing that can affect a lot of individuals who live with mental health issues is the disruption of a routine. It’s one thing when you’ve been living with depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder while on medication prescribed by a psychiatrist you’ve been going to for years only to have that rapport and relationship change when you move to a new city for school.
Mental Health America suggests making a solid mental health plan that both your teen and their medical practitioners feel comfortable with while they’re attending college. For instance, it suggests that if your teen visits a therapist of any kind in your hometown, perhaps they could switch to a video call format from September through May.
The organization also notes that while your teen is making that profound transition into college life, if part of their treatment is therapy sessions, they might want to speak to their doctor about setting up a few extra sessions for the fall months. This could help them stay in line with their overall mental health goals as they properly deal with school-related stress.
Look ahead to their course load and help them set up their year to accommodate their specific needs.
According to Pacific Teen Treatment, research has shown that “excessive levels of academic stress can result in an increased prevalence” of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, and “stress-related disorders.”
Several mental health disorders are exacerbated by stress or come out even further when a person feels overwhelmed, so when your teen is picking their course load for the school year, it’s important to have them pause to really think about how they want to approach things academically.
As a parent of someone living with a mental health disorder, you might want to point out that they don’t need to start off their first year of college by taking a full course load. Remind them that things will be different than high school and even though they might feel excited to hit the ground running, it might be best for their mind and overall health to take things at a slower pace and maybe add on a class or two in the winter semester if they’re feeling good.
Make yourself available to them for check-ins and talks, especially during the first few months.
College can be such a pivotal time for real growth in any teenager’s life, but along with all of that transition and change can often come feelings of isolation and sadness, which can go from zero to 100 if you throw mental health issues into the mix.
Mass General Brigham McLean notes that if your teenager is living on their own for the first time at college and lives with a mental health disorder, it’s important to stay in touch with them regularly, and not just by emails or texts. Anyone can tell you that they’re fine over a text message, which is exactly why it’s important to hear your child’s voice and ask them direct questions about how they’re doing.
If your teen divulges that they’re missing the family or hometown friends, they suggest that you “get creative about maintaining vital social connections.” You could set up a monthly video call that includes their other parent, siblings, and family friends to help show your support and keep that connection sustained and fruitful for you both.
Ensure your teen is equipped with a solid support system and health regimen to ensure optimal health.
One of the many positive aspects of attending a college or university is that it is often its own little community that’s fully equipped with everything you need to not only get a great education but also to live a happy and full life.
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The University of South Florida explains that it’s important to ensure that while they’re away at college, your teen has a “huge support system” that they fully take advantage of for both their mental health and overall wellness.
It points out that most universities are chock full of trained professionals like counsellors, nutritionists, and fitness experts, and in order for your teen to fully thrive during their time at college, it only makes sense for them to dive in and make use of them all, if only to help ensure that everything is lined up to maximize their overall health and mindset.
