- Academics
- Admissions & Aid
-
Student Services
Featured Event
-
Campuses
Featured Event
- About Baker
-
Tools & Resources
Featured Event
- Alumni
- Employers
Student Resources for Maintaining Mental Health in College
One of the many factors that contribute to a student’s success in college is maintaining mental health. For some, this is a relatively simple task, while others may have difficulty accessing the resources they need. An annual survey conducted by The Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors found that 21% of students that visit their campus counseling center have a severe mental illness concern, while another 40% have mild mental health concerns (Mistler et al., 2019).
However, research shows that the rate at which students with mental illness seek treatment is very low (Pedrelli, 2015). It is important that college students maintain their mental health not only for the sake of their health in general, but because it can affect their personal relationships, their social and emotional wellness, and success in school and after college.
There are numerous mental health challenges that college students are faced with every day. Listed below are just a few of the most common mental illnesses, explanations of what they are, and resources for coping with each.
Individuals who have been diagnosed with ADHD may have trouble focusing on daily tasks (such as chores, work, and academics), act without thinking, or be overly active. Individuals with ADHD might:
Here are a few resources college students with ADHD can utilize.
Statistics show that about 31% of college students report symptoms of alcohol abuse and about 80% of college students have abused alcohol at some point during their college career (Juergens & Hampton, 2020). Being surrounded by temptations, it can be difficult for students to refrain from partaking in alcohol and substance use. There are resources available for students who may suffer from alcohol and/or substance abuse.
Occasional feelings of anxiety are normal. When anxiety starts to impact day-to-day life, however, it's important to talk with a trained professional. Research shows both genetic and environmental factors play a role in anxiety disorders. Some symptoms of anxiety include:
Below are resources students can utilize to help them manage their anxiety.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a “developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior” (NIMH, 2020). Symptoms of autism vary based on severity, however, those with autism spectrum disorder often experience:
The following list represents a few resources available for college students on the spectrum.
Mood disorders are a brain disorder caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, and they can impact how individuals react to life events. Also called “affective disorders,” this is an umbrella term used to refer to a variety of conditions, including depression, seasonal affective disorder, and bipolar disorder, among many others.
The exact symptoms an individual experiences from a mood disorder will depend on the specific condition. Bipolar disorder, for example involves episodes of depression and mania. Individuals with bipolar disorder might show the following symptoms during a manic episode:
On the other hand, an individual may exhibit the following symptoms during a depressive episode:
Treatment can be key to managing mood disorders. Students diagnosed with bipolar or other mood disorders can consult the following resources:
When an individual has an eating disorder, this means they can be suffering from any of the following:
There are many symptoms an individual with eating disorders may experience:
Students who have an eating disorder can use any of the following resources for help.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder in which an individual experiences emotional and behavioral changes after a traumatic experience. This disorder is common amongst those in the military, however, it can occur in people of all ages who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD include:
Most young adults with PTSD will have already experienced at least one of these symptoms by the time they begin college (Pedrelli, 2015). Students can use the following resources to help them cope with PTSD.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally…[and] may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs daily functioning, and can be disabling” (Mayo Clinic, 2020).
Resources for students with schizophrenia include:
Although "stress" is not a disorder, it is a common occurrence for college students. Common signs of stress among college students include:
Students suffering from stress can use the following resources.
Additional mental health resources for college students include:
Achieving a state of overall wellness involves more than managing physical conditions or concerns; it also includes keeping social and emotional health in balance. One of the big roadblocks to maintaining emotional wellness is the stigma associated with mental health issues. However, it is vital that students be proactive in reaching out for help.
Students can begin their social and emotional wellness journey by reflecting on what their needs are both personally and socially. They can do this by asking themselves questions like “What part of my current social life would I like to improve?” or “What areas of my personal life do I currently enjoy?”
Although it may not seem like it during a time when someone feels like being alone, reaching out to friends and family is an important part of maintaining one’s mental health. Doing so can help individuals gain a better understanding of how to communicate their feelings effectively, set realistic expectations and goals, as well as embrace self-advocacy, which allows one to see the bigger picture, and provides them with the ability to become more flexible with daily tasks.
For some, building a better family relationship is a lot easier said than done. Here are resources to refer to when help is needed to establish, build, and maintain better relationships with loved ones.
For individuals with mental illness, building relationships can make one happier in general and improve their academics — including the ability to succeed in online classes when attending school remotely.
The mind and body are connected; when a person is physically healthy it can help to ensure they are mentally healthy as well.
Even though college students have busy schedules, it is important they find the time to improve their physical wellbeing. This includes eating healthy, engaging in regular physical activity (even if it’s doing yoga at a desk), avoiding harmful substances, and practicing safe sex. Listed below are a few resources for students to help them maintain their physical health.
Aside from looking both ways before crossing the street and locking doors and windows at night, there are various steps that can be taken to be safe as a student. Here are a few apps students can download to help ensure their safety on and off campus.
Poor mental health could result in poor grades — poor grades could result in a lack of willpower and motivation to continue school. This is another reason why it is important to maintain mental health — because it can play a large role in how a person performs in school. Visiting campus counselors, learning studying strategies, and scheduling time with tutors are a few ways to utilize resources provided by a campus. Other resources that support academic learning include:
Maintaining mental health isn’t important just for students — in fact, it goes beyond college. Ways to continuously maintain mental health after college include finding a work environment that is accommodating to mental health needs (i.e. work schedule, support, and benefits), and not being afraid to get help looking for resources (government employment programs, vocational rehab services, college/alma mater programs, etc.). Here are tips to follow that may assist a person in improving their mental health and wellbeing after college.
Maintaining mental health during these college years can help set the pace for how someone maintains their mental health for the rest of their life. Some may even find that interests in mental health go beyond an individual and may consider obtaining a degree in social science or industrial/organizational psychology. Whether it’s to succeed in school or help build new relationships, improving mental and physical well-being has its benefits both inside and out.
Sources:
Autism Spectrum Disorder. (2020, November 10). NIMH. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml
Juergens, J., & Hampton, D. (2020, September 17). Facts and Statistics of College Drug Abuse. Addiction Center. https://www.addictioncenter.com/college/facts-statistics-college-drug-abuse/
Mistler, B. J. M., Reetz, D. R. R., Krylowicz, B. K., & Barr, V. B. (2019, May 31). The Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors Annual Survey. CMCGLobal.Com. http://files.cmcglobal.com/Monograph_2012_AUCCCD_Public.pdf
Pedrelli, P. P. (2015, October 1). College Students: Mental Health Problems and Treatment Considerations. Https://Www.Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov/Pmc/Articles/PMC4527955/. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4527955/
Schizophrenia - Symptoms and causes. (2020, January 7). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354443
Contact us today to speak with a
Baker admissions expert.