As colleges and universities around the country start to come alive for a new academic year, the students filling those campuses are preparing to face fresh opportunities and challenges.
College is a time of significant transition and growth. Increased academic pressures, adjusting to living away from home, and navigating a new social scene can all impact student mental health.
In a 2023 survey of more than 90,000 students across 133 U.S. campuses, 44% reported symptoms of depression, while 37% said they experienced anxiety.
With today’s college students being increasingly open to seeking treatment for mental health, it’s helpful to remind staff what they can do to meet them halfway when it comes to support.
Common college stressors
College students — especially those just starting out — navigate many day-to-day challenges that could cause stress.
“College is a huge transition. For many, it is their first time living away from parents. The simple fact that it is such a big transition can bring up adjustment issues, anxiety, depression, etc.,” says Amy Marschall, Psy.D. “Additionally, college age (18-22) is an age where some mental health issues tend to emerge, such as mood or psychotic disorders, so it is possible that these symptoms will arise at this time, leading to asking for support.”
Academic pressure – Balancing multiple classes, long reading lists, essays, labs, and group projects can feel like a full-time job (because it is). Add in the pressure to maintain a high GPA, qualify for scholarships, or get into grad school, and it’s easy for students to feel like they’re always playing catch-up.
Finding a tribe – College can be equal parts exhilarating and isolating. Students sometimes struggle to make new friends, deal with less-than-ideal living situations, and experience bouts of homesickness. All of these can weigh heavily on their mental health.
Social media – Students are constantly encountering the curated social feeds of their peers and comparing it to their own lives. “Other people’s social media presence is often airbrushed and perfected, and we run the risk of comparing their “director’s cut” to our own behind-the-scenes footage,” says Marschall.
Uncertainty about the future – “What am I doing with my life?” is a question that most students ask themselves at some point. Career doubts, impending changes, or fear of the “real world” after graduation can all lead to anxiety and self-doubt.
Signs students might need support
Feeling stressed or down at points during college is inevitable, but when students start to exhibit signs that those feelings are becoming constant and interfering with daily life, it warrants closer attention. Here are some common symptoms that a student may be struggling.
Negative feelings – Sadness, anxiety, numbness, anger, and frustration — if someone feels any of those emotions consistently, it may be time to take a closer look.
Irregular sleeping – It’s not uncommon for college students to have a complicated relationship with sleep, but regularly sleeping too much (say, more than 10 hours a night) or too little can be signs of depression.
Changes in appetite – Skipping meals or eating for comfort can be signs of deeper issues that warrant paying attention to.
Disinterest in activities – Opportunities for socialization abound in college and are an integral part of the experience (not to mention a great way to relieve stress). If a student becomes disinterested in pursuing them, that could signal deeper issues.
Where students seek help
The good news is that students have plenty of easily accessible resources to support their mental health.
On-campus resources – Colleges and universities have student health and wellness centers that offer free or low-cost counseling and mental health services. It’s crucial to make sure these resources are visible and easily accessible for students.
Peer support programs – Some students may feel more comfortable seeking support amongst their peers. Supporting those programs and encouraging participation in them lets students know they have another resource at their disposal.
Professors and advisors – Professors and advisors can be some of the first to notice an issue with a student. They may also be people who students feel comfortable confiding in. It’s important for them to be prepared and know where to direct students who may be in need of support.
Online mental health support – While it ultimately comes down to personal preference, today’s college students are open to trying telehealth options for mental health (and there are more resources available than ever before).
Make space for mental health
While mid-day naps and weekends relaxing with friends are a major part of the college experience, they aren’t a full substitute for mental health support. Encouraging wellness and self-care in college students only goes so far — it’s important to establish and foster support resources within the college system.
“To be fully honest, I don’t like the emphasis on ‘embracing self-care’ to address mental health because a lot of stressors that negatively impact mental health are embedded in systemic issues,” says Marschall. “It puts responsibility for mental health struggles on individuals who are often in impossible situations to actually enact the strategies. It means we don’t have to look at how much work we are putting on these students and instead making it their fault that they cannot keep up with unrealistic expectations. We need to actually change the systems so that people can actually effectively enact self-care rather than blaming them for not having space to care for themselves in a world that is not designed for it.”
Sources:
The Mental Health Crisis on College Campuses
What Are the Warning Signs of Depression in College Students?
Survey: Students Turn to Loved Ones, Social Media First for Mental Health Help
Peer Support: A Student-Led Approach to Mental Wellbeing
Clinically reviewed by Amy Marschall, PsyD. Dr Marschall has been a licensed psychologist since 2016 and currently owns a private practice, RMH-Therapy, where she provides therapy primarily to children and adolescents and does psychological evaluations and also provides ADHD assessments through ADHD Online.