Starting college is a time of immense freedom for many, and immense fear for many others. Each year, freshman leave home to a new setting, new friends, new pressures and workload, and new stresses. As a high school senior or college student, it is wise to research and prepare for being successful in college and ensuring mental health resources are a part of that plan.
Across the nation, there has been more news about tragic mental health incidents on campus. While some of these stories have made national news, many have not, and many college students find themselves in a very challenging time in their lives.
The National Alliance for Mental Illness compiled a national survey of college students living with mental health issues to find out more about their experiences at school. The topics they covered included: Dropouts, disclosure, mental health awareness, website information, accommodations, clinical services and support, crises services, and supportiveness of college mental health.
As described in the report, some of the respondents shared with researchers:
“Before I even came to orientation, I was signed up for disability services and knew where the counseling center was because on the campus tour days there were signs and posters saying to visit these places.”
– Survey Respondent
“A depressive episode made it impossible for me to go to classes and I did not get help until it was too late and I was withdrawn and I could never afford the cost to go back because I lost my scholarship for being withdrawn.”
– Survey Respondent
As a perspective college student or parent, what are some things you can do to check out a specific college’s mental health resources? Here’s a list to get you started:
Do They Have the Seal?
The Jed Foundation has developed a campus assessment program for colleges to evaluate their campus mental health and suicide prevention programming. On their website, you can find they recently announced the first class of JedCampus seal recipients.
University recipients that obtained the seal “have shown their commitment to providing comprehensive mental health programming to their student body”. You can find the list here.
Student Involvement Opportunities
Does the campus have an Active Minds, NAMI on Campus, or other mental health awareness chapter or club available on campus? Whether student-run or sponsored through the counseling centers on campus, these clubs can offer camarederie to members as well as the driving force to reduce stigma and create awarenress on campus
Clinical and Crises Support Services
Call your perspective college or university and ask about mental health options within campus healthcare services: do they have an on-site psychiatrist? What’s access to the counseling center like? What do they treat and what do they refer?
Academic Support Services
While you are on the phone with the university, ask about their disability and academic support resources. Are there programs set up specifically for anxiety, major depression, ADHD or other mental health issues? What is the process to get enrolled?
Anxiety In Teens Opportunities
At Anxiety In Teens, we have a special program for current college students who are passionate about and/or are dealing with a mental health issue called the Learning Through Service program. This internship experience includes semester journalism and media opportunities, of which many participants have attested to being a therapeutic experience to both learn about coping with their own issues while giving back. To learn how to be involved, find more information here on our internship page.