The Pantagraph, Bloomington, Ill., HealthLife column
Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL)Dec 19, 2014
The fall semester saw an increase in college students -- in
"The reasons are as multiple as the students themselves," said
As college-age children are coming home for winter break, parents need to know about this worrisome trend and should respond by talking with their children, listening and getting them help if needed,
"By and large, students are attuned to their parents' opinions of them and they fear disappointing a parent and adding to their burden," Boudreaux said.
"So parents should say 'You are important to me, I want to hear what you have to say. I have the time.'"
Here's evidence of the trend:
--At
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--At PATH (Providing Access to Help),
--At
"I've definitely seen an increase in adolescents and young adults presenting with diagnosable stress, depression and anxiety," said
The trend isn't unique to
An article this fall in "Monitor on Psychology," a publication of the
College life stressors -- worry about projects, final exams and grades; time-management difficulties; relationship issues; sexual identity concerns; financial headaches; dealing long-distance with losses back home; and worry about broader societal issues -- aren't new.
What's different is these issues appear to be accentuated. Social media can bring up those issues constantly and students who can't manage their time on Facebook may find themselves behind schedule and downbeat.
In addition, "The economy doesn't seem to be turning around," which adds pressure to students who need a job after graduation to begin paying off student loans, Moorman said.
"A college degree used to be the golden ticket to a good job," Cashen said. "That's not true anymore."
Furthermore, students haven't been isolated from this fall's controversies, from the uproar over the Ferguson decision to ISIS beheadings, Cashen said.
Then there's students' proximity to other students -- which can be a comfort or a strain. Just as people in the workplace experience anxiety when a co-worker is laid off, college students get hurt when a classmate attempts suicide.
"Fear is contagious," Cashen said.
Mental health issues also are more prevalent because there are students attending college who wouldn't have been able to be college students a generation ago, Boudreaux and Moorman said.
Thanks to medication, therapy and support, students with anxiety disorder, clinical depression, less profound autism and other disorders are able to attend college.
The problem is when some of those students lose the support system they had at home and in high school, when they stop going to therapy or if their college doesn't offer the support they need or if they don't keep up with their medication, things can go awry.
But there are things parents can do while their college students are home during winter break.
If parents know their students were in a mental health crisis during the fall semester, ask them how their appointment went at the student counseling service. Encourage the student to make another appointment.
Work with the student to get him or her an appointment to see their primary care physician during winter break. A physical health problem -- such as low iron or high or low blood pressure -- may be a contributing problem, Cashen said.
But with all students -- whether you're aware of a mental health problem or not -- it's important to talk with them during the next couple of weeks.
"The focus is not on what to say but how to listen," Boudreaux said. "Listen when the student wants to talk. Listen without judgment."
If the student doesn't begin the conversation, ask them how they are doing, how their semester went and see where the conversation goes.
"Be supportive," Moser said. "Show an interest in what they're saying."
"Focus on their behavior," Boudreaux said. "For example, talk about the poor grade rather than judging the student. Ask them how you can help. If they request therapy and medication, work with them."
"Parents shouldn't rush in and fix things because these are young adults who need to learn how to make their way in the world," Boudreaux said. "But we should offer support."
"Talk with the students about their coping strategies that worked in high school," Moorman said. "Ask them if they're eating well, getting enough sleep and exercising."
"Home should be a nice refuge," Cashen said. "Students need to be told 'No matter what, this is your home.'"
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