College Students & Mental Health: When It’s Time to Ask for Help

With college comes newfound independence, experiences and opportunities, but for some students this time is also characterized by an increase in mental health challenges, especially for students who live on campus. This article is the second in a two-part series, and focuses on what college students can do to find help for a mental health issue when self-care and practical strategies aren’t enough. It shares valuable information about when to seek help, who to talk to, the benefits of psychotherapy and more. To view the first article in the series, click here.

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Today’s young adults are more open about their mental health than older generations were at their age, and they are more willing and able to proactively engage in self-care and preventative strategies to optimize their mental wellness. For their part, colleges and universities are doing more to support the mental health needs of their students than they did in the past. Even so, it can be a challenging landscape for students (parents and loved-ones too!) who aren’t sure where to turn when mental health challenges arise during college and the familiar interventions aren’t working.

THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY INTERVENTION

In general, acknowledging they need help can be incredibly difficult for young adult college students. And as a group, young adult college students don’t typically address their mental health issues early on – or even recognize them. First-year students are particularly vulnerable to mental health issues, and they are unfortunately also the group that’s least aware of available support resources on campus and how to take advantage of them.

The sooner young adults address their mental health concerns, the more effective their treatment can be. For most issues, evidence-based psychotherapies are the best way to equip students with symptom relief, help establish support systems and learn healthier ways of managing challenges in the future.

Early intervention can also help prevent a domino effect that an untreated mental health challenge can have on a young adult’s education, relationships and personal development. When a significant mental health issue is left untreated, it can end up impacting more than just the person’s emotional well-being. Young adult students may also struggle to keep up with coursework, and maintain relationships & social interactions. Students in these situations often need to leave school and don’t end up returning. Seeking support from a qualified mental health professional early-on can help students regain their balance, thrive academically and personally, and keep their mental illness from undermining their quality of life.

It’s important for young adults to take their mental health concerns seriously:

• In the U.S., young adults report significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression symptoms (approx. 50%) versus adults overall (approx. 33%)
• According to The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the onset of conditions like anxiety disorders, mood disorders and eating disorders commonly emerge between the ages of 18-25

WHEN TO REACH OUT FOR HELP, AND WHO TO TALK TO

Students who are NOT in immediate crisis / just feel like they want support and someone to talk to have several options. For many students experiencing an issue at college, for example, stress over coursework; social anxiety; problems setting boundaries; homesickness etc. find that the resources below are sufficient to address them:

• Connecting with trusted friends and family members can feel helpful and validating. Students should talk openly about their feelings, ask for their support. The friend or family member may not have experience with the issue, but typically they can offer a sympathetic ear and a shoulder to lean on. Parents or guardians may be able to assist more directly, especially for students who are covered by their grownup’s health insurance or who receive financial support in other ways
• Connect with a Hotline / Crisis line – for students who need knowledgeable support, but are not in immediate danger:
  • Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988
  • Crisis Text Line — Text ‘COALITION’ to 741741
    TrevorSpace — an affirming, online community for LGBTQ+ people 13-24 years old
  • SAMHSA National Helpline: 800-662-HELP
• Connect with resources on campus; they can be great sources of information and support:
  • academic advisors can share info on campus services & activities surrounding coursework, campus life & mental health
  • professors can help help create a custom academic plan or offer accommodations when a student’s studies are being impacted
  • Resident Advisors (RA) in student dormitories are trained to help with many student life issues, and can be an excellent source of support and referrals to available on-campus resources

In contrast, students should seek professional help ASAP if they’ve been experiencing any of the symptoms below for 2+ weeks and /or find that that these symptoms are impacting their ability to manage everyday life:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes
• Inability to complete usual tasks and activities
• Feelings of irritability, frustration or restlessness
• Persistent sadness, anxiety or extreme mood swings
• Challenges with daily activities, academics or relationships
• Difficulty getting out of bed in the morning because of mood
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of interest in things that used to be enjoyable
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

For students experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to widen the conversation NOW so they can be connected with the appropriate resources for the support they need. A good place to start is with the college or university’s mental health counseling office.

Most colleges and universities offer some level of structured student mental health support to help students manage their mental health challenges while also maintaining coursework and a social life. Examples of mental health resources available through an on-campus mental health office can include:

• individual counseling services with an on-campus therapist
• counselor-led group therapy
• referrals to off-campus resources (therapist, psychiatrist, psychological testing etc.)
• crisis counseling and intervention services
• peer-led support groups

Whether these services are available free of charge; available year-round or only during academic semesters; or available at all will differ from school to school. There are usually basic supports available on campus, but universities are often forced to limit clinical services and mental health personnel due to a lack of funding.

WHEN MORE SPECIALIZED TREATMENT IS NEEDED

Students with a more significant mental health issue such as depression, a mood disorder, anxiety disorder, eating disorder etc. are referred for treatment with an independent psychotherapist who is skilled in working with young adults’ mental health issues. This referral to an off-campus (or online) clinician may come from a therapist at the campus counseling office, the student’s PCP (primary care physician), or be chosen based on their health insurance provider. The student might also be referred by a therapist to a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner so that medications can also be prescribed to help manage issues such as depression, anxiety or mood disorders. And for students who choose / are able to remain enrolled in college during treatment, the mental health resources and accommodations available through the university can offer valuable supplemental support, day-to-day.

HOW COLLEGES CAN BETTER SUPPORT THEIR STUDENTS

Colleges and universities don’t have the resources to address every mental health issue, but most do provide basic mental health supports for those in need. And they recognize the shortfalls and understand the importance of raising awareness of the importance of student mental health, and the available resources on campus to address it. Schools should strive to continually make impacts in the following areas:

• expand on available mental health counseling services – including more counselors, longer hours and the availability of emergency / crisis support
• operate using affirming, non-discriminatory and accessible practices, policies, curricula and therapeutic philosophies; honor diversity and an expansive, non-binary view of gender
• make mental health awareness part of the university culture; foster a supportive & empathetic campus environment to destigmatize mental illness
• establish student peer networks, organizations and self-care activities focused on mental health & wellness
• expand on available academic support services such as study groups, study skills workshops, tutoring, stress management activities, etc.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER

• If you are / someone you are with is in psychiatric crisis or you feel that you / they are a danger to themselves or others, call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Room immediately.
• Young adult students shouldn’t let stigma or shame keep them from getting the help they need. There is no shame in struggling with mental health, and no benefits in ignoring symptoms. It can be helpful to remember that mental illness is a medical issue, and it needs to be treated by a qualified professional in the same way that for example, significant stomach, leg or chest pain would be treated. People wouldn’t feel embarrassment or shame or hesitate to speak up and seek help for those issues, so there’s no reason to with mental health either.
• When students reach the age of 18, they are adults from a legal standpoint. This means they need to advocate for themselves regarding their medical / mental health care and that explicit written permission will be required in order for parents or other authorized adults to serve as health advocates or even have access to basic information – even if the student is covered under their parents’ health insurance plan. Students who are interested in parental advocacy support should ask their providers about a HIPAA release form.
• It’s not legally required for students to let their parents / guardians know about their mental health issues, but… (1) if they have a decent relationship with their folks we think it’s a good idea to have their support, and (2) for students covered by their parents’ health insurance plan and / or receiving financial support for college, it’s especially important that they know about upcoming costs they may need to cover or pay out of pocket, and money they may forfeit if the student withdraws from school (tuition, fees, etc.)
• Mental health concerns of BIPOC & LGBTQ+ college students may be exacerbated due to a structural lockout of diverse and affirming mental health resources in many parts of the country. It may be challenging for BIPOC & LGBTQ+ students to find an affirming therapist (on-campus or off) who shares their cultural background or lived experiences, but this is crucial for building communication, trust and a more effective therapeutic process.

THE RIGHT MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS CAN HELP STUDENTS THRIVE

Colleges and universities play an important role in the mental health of their student populations. Through proactive planning and a commitment to student mental health, they can:

• offer a range of solutions that increase access to affirming mental health services
• integrate mental health education into policies, practices, curriculum and philosophies
• foster a campus culture that prioritizes empathy and well-being

These practices can help students mitigate the impact of mental health challenges and empower them to thrive academically and personally. With the right support & care, things can get better.

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This blog is the second in a two-part series about college students’ mental health issues & support. This installment focuses on when college students should seek help, why it’s important, who to talk to, how therapy can help and more. To view part one, which focuses on practical tips and self-care strategies for good mental health, click here.

IntraSpectrum Counseling is Chicago’s leading psychotherapy practice dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. We provide affirming, sex-positive and kink-friendly psychotherapy for clients of all ages and across the spectrum of gender and sexual identities. Our therapists can expertly assist clients with issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma histories, etc. as well as those struggling with intersections between mental health and sexuality, gender identity & expression, race, ethnicity, class, age, size – or any of the other ways societies categorize, marginalize & divide us. For support with any of these issues, click here, email us at help@intraspectrum-chicago.com or leave a message on our callback line at 312-379-9476.