Mental Health Preparations for College
As high school Seniors excitedly make decisions about the colleges they will be attending in August, it is a good time to contemplate the many changes that will be taking place in their lives during the next few months. Even if students are happily counting the days until they arrive on campus, it is normal to also be feeling anxious, especially if they have never been away from home and/or their families for an extended period of time.
College freshmen, who face creating new social networks, sometimes experience separation anxiety. Although likely intense at first, it will lessen over time, especially after students become involved with campus life and activities, including clubs, sports and volunteering. If freshmen feel like they need to talk to someone, Resident Assistants and Directors are available in their dormitories and most Student Health Centers have counselors on staff.
Even students who had a lot of friends in high school can confront loneliness at the start of college. It is normal to feel disconnected from your family and others at home or that something is missing from your life. Realize that these feelings are temporary and that you simply are going through a period of transition during which you will meet and make new friends.
If you find yourself struggling in college, seek help as soon as possible. Reaching out to others actually is a sign of strength. You are not alone. Parents who are worried about a child who is away from home should contact a campus mental health official or the Dean of Students. While these individuals may not be able to provide information about him or her due to confidentiality laws, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, they will be able to listen to parents’ concerns and hopefully get the student assistance if necessary.
Before a student leaves for college, you may want to determine where on campus mental health services are provided, how you make an appointment for them, if drop-in services are available, and how mental health services can be accessed after regular business hours or in case of an emergency. It also is a good idea to enter the number for the campus mental health center into your and your child’s cell phones. There are over 100 National Alliance on Mental Illness on Campus chapters and more than 460 Active Minds groups, which raise mental awareness among college students, throughout the United States so there may be one at your child’s school as well.