By Erin Jackson
As mentioned in last week’s post, college is an exciting time in a young person’s life, but it can also be the most stressful. Let’s take a look at a few more reasons why:
- Treatment transition: According to Dr. Anthony Rostain in an interview with NPR, college students can face a particularly tough transition because they’ve learned to manage their mental disorder at home with medication and/or talk therapy, but then they get to school in a new environment and face new pressures. Where they once were being treated for mental disorder successfully, they now may not have the same access to their doctor, counselor, or medication. Additionally, they may be struggling with following through with their treatment due to being on their own for the first time.
- Homesickness and loneliness: Family is often a major support system for a struggling young adult and being away at college means that they are away from their support system, or at least part of it.
- Pressure from parents: Many parents feel that the pathway to success is a straight shot. They are well-meaning and love their children, but they fail to see that the road to success can look like a roller coaster, full of ups and downs and twists and turns. They can put pressure on their children to do well and to never make mistakes. Thus, these high-pressure, highly-driven children are plagued with terror at the very thought of making a bad grade and can’t seem to deal with doing less than excellent. A better method: Approaching parenthood with balance by encouraging children to do well, but being the safe haven for them when they don’t. Don’t be afraid to enact tough love, but be the soft landing, too.
There are alarming statistics indicating that suffering students are not seeking help.
- Among suicidal students, only 1 in 4 get help.
- Three out of 5 have experienced overwhelming anxiety
- Two out of 5 have been too depressed to function.
Only 10-15% of these suffering students seek help at their on-campus counseling center.
Why? Some may feel like they’ll get better in time. They’ll adjust. The depression will go away. Some feel like they don’t have time to get help and others think it’s not that bad and they can handle it themselves.
There is also a stigma surrounding mental health that can make it difficult for people to seek help. As stated by Dr. Rostain, “…the most deadly thing of all is not the mental illness, but the stigma around it that leads people to avoid getting the help in time.”
STUDENTS: We offer both in-person and Telehealth (video) sessions. With Telehealth, you can access your counselor before or after class in the comfort of your home and pajamas. Don’t wait! Get some extra support today!
PARENTS: We offer counseling for you too, both in-person and via Telehealth. You may be wondering how to be a support to your struggling student – call us and we will get you connected with a caring and experienced counselor today!
Call New Vision Counseling at 405-921-7776 or contact us through newvisioncounseling.live. We are here for you! Better is possible!