Discussing mental health with students
University is stressful enough, but young adults also face an increased mental illness risk
If you’ve just seen your universityaged child off to school, you are probably torn between feelings of pride and dread. It’s an exciting time — they worked hard, got accepted to university and, in many cases, flew the coop. But it’s not an easy transition.
University life can be stressful, with tough and often competing demands — and the timing aligns with a period in young adulthood in which the risk for psychosis and mood disorders is developing. Plus, if you happen to be one of the many “helicopter” parents out there, your child might not be well versed in facing failure or coping with stress.
As the psychiatrist-in-chief at the University of Toronto’s Health and Wellness Centre, I spend a lot of time thinking about the mental health of university students.
It’s an area of huge concern. In the 2016 National College Health Assessment survey of university students across Canada, 44 per cent reported feeling so depressed at some point within the past year that it was difficult to function. Sixty-five per cent had felt overwhelming anxiety. And 13 per cent had seriously contemplated suicide within the past year.
While these numbers are alarming, they are far from surprising if you consider everything our students are facing.
Along with expected stressors of transitioning to a new environment and increased academic and social pressure, today’s students also grapple with the uncertainty of not knowing what career their university studies will lead them into. Diverse career prospects, including entrepreneurship, can present great opportunities — but they are also a real source of anxiety.
Education costs and student debt can be another stress inducer, as can increased pressure to be socially connected 24/7.
Added to all of this is the fact that the 15 to 24 age bracket is a time in which the risk of mental illnesses like psychosis, mood and anxiety disorders increases. These emerging adults are also at greater risk for substance abuse.
Universities across the country — and across North America — are responding to these challenges by rethinking the way they offer mental health services on campus. At U of T, we have integrated mental health services within physical health care — giving students faster and more seamless access to mental health professionals. And across the campus, student leaders and staff are being trained to recognize signs of crisis and to lead students toward helpful services.
We also know how important it is for students to have support of family and friends. At the Health and Wellness Centre, we take a familycentred approach and encourage students to involve supportive loved ones in their care. This is a particular challenge for those who have moved away from home to go to university.
So what can a caring parent do to “be there” for their university-aged child’s mental health — even when they aren’t actually there, geographically? Here are some tips: Plan beyond academics — consider health and wellness You’ve likely spent lots of time discussing academic opportunities and choices with your child. But as he or she transitions to university life, it’s also important to talk about health and wellness — and that includes mental wellness. You can help by planning strategies as to how to get enough exercise, eating right, connecting with interest groups on campus. You should also be sure to identify places your child could go for help if they ever feel overwhelmed. This could include a residence don, a student-support staff or a health and wellness centre. Help foster a circle of connectedness You might want to recognize how tough it can be to be away from family, friends and a familiar environment. Taking time to set up a new circle of connectedness can help. Maybe there’s a family member who lives close to campus, or a friend or acquaintance already at the university. It could help to connect your child to people who can be there if needed. Co-ordinate continued care for mental health diagnosis If your child has a prior mental health diagnosis and is undergoing care, you should arrange to get connected with services in their new community. Often university cam- puses just aren’t able to provide extensive care for all mental health needs, so it’s important to look for additional support off campus. Keep in touch You might want to arrange a plan to keep in touch ahead of time. Everyone is busy, but regular connection with supportive parents can go a long way. Maybe it’s a combination of email and occasional phone calls, or maybe it’s regular Skype chats. But this is an opportunity to recognize any signs of a mental health concern. Know the common signs Common signs of a mental health condition include sadness and isolation, complaints of fatigue and troubles sleeping, fear and anxiety, a negative state of mind, overt feelings of hopelessness, problems eating, drastic changes in mood and behaviour, and more. While not necessarily indicative of a mental illness, any of these signs should be taken seriously.
For more guidance on talking about mental health with your universityaged child, you can consult this helpful guide recently developed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Jed Foundation: nami.org/collegeguide
You can find out more about mental health at U of T on the website mentalhealth.utoronto.ca