Mental Health and Wellbeing for College Students

According to a study by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA, emotional health issues have become more common among entering freshman. In 2014, the proportion of students who said they felt frequently depressed rose to 9.5 percent. These students reported missing class more frequently than their non-depressed classmates and also reported feelings of disengagement. For students reporting emotional trouble, the transition to college life can be challenging. From newfound freedom to the rigors of college-level coursework and everything in between, the pressure and stress can take its toll. The following guide is designed to help college students identify, address and get help for mental health issues.

Mental Health Issues Affecting College Students

Suicide & Depression

It’s important to approach the issues of depression and suicide in a holistic, thorough and in-depth manner, so we’ve created a Suicide and Depression Awareness Guide for Students.

Stress and Anxiety

Because stress and anxiety can show up or become worse during the college years, we’ve created a Student Guide to Surviving Stress and Anxiety in College & Beyond.

College Addiction

Alcohol and drug abuse at college has become a significant public health problem, resulting in injuries, assaults, sexual abuse and deaths. In addition, drinking and drug use is often associated with academic issues, unsafe sex and drunk driving.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders affect both women and men and are often triggered by major life transitions, such as going away to college. College students are particularly susceptible for a variety of reasons. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) reports that full-blown eating disorders typically begin between 18 and 21 years of age, which is exactly the time many of those affected would be attending college.

Self-Injury

Self-injury is when an individual deliberately harms his or her body without the intent to die from suicide. It is a way for those who engage in the behavior to deal with overwhelming emotions. The consensus among mental health providers in college settings is that incidents of self-injury have increased over the past several years, possibly because of the lack of coping mechanisms and more stressful situations young people face.

Incidents of self-injury are increasing rapidly among young adults. Individuals who practice self-injury behaviors routinely cut their skin with razor blades, scissors and other sharp objects until they bleed. Sufferers explain that causing physical pain is a release—that it’s a way to break through the numbness felt with depression and the pain from self-loathing, emptiness, rage and guilt.

The release from self-injury is temporary, because it doesn’t address the underlying issues. In addition to the physical scars, the act of cutting is isolating, which perpetuates many of the emotional issues. It is also easy to accidentally cause serious injury by misjudging the depth of a cut. Not treating the wounds properly may also lead to infection. On top of those issues, cutting can become an addiction.

Cutting isn’t the only self-injury behavior. Other ways individuals intentionally hurt themselves without attempting suicide include:

Symptoms of Self-Injury Behavior

People who harm themselves often hide scars, cuts and bruises with clothing, making it difficult to notice. In addition to unexplained wounds or scars, flags to look for include:

Self-Injury Treatment and Prevention

If you are practicing self-injury behavior, the first thing you need to do is get help. Admitting your problem can be scary, but it’s important to find an adult you can trust. Contact your campus counseling center.

If you’re not sure where to turn, call the S.A.F.E. Alternatives information line in the U.S. at (800) DONTCUT for referrals and support for cutting and self-harm.

Counseling also allows individuals to get to the root of what is causing the pain in the first place before it leads to major depression, substance abuse and suicide. Anti-depressants are prescribed to help with depression, if needed. Therapy can also help you find out what your triggers are so you can avoid them.

In addition to addressing the root of the problem, treatment for self-injury also involves finding replacement behaviors to stop the cutting and learning new coping mechanisms. Some people find wearing a rubber band to snap when they get the urge to cut can be helpful. Drawing on the skin in red felt tip marker and applying ice to mimic the cutting sensation are other replacement behaviors.

Other replacement behaviors include:

Helping a Friend or Roommate Who Self-Harms

Finding out that someone you care about is harming himself or herself can be quite a shock. If your friend or roommate is self-harming:

Resources for Self-Injury Awareness and Support

Bipolar Disorder

Also known as manic depression, bipolar is an affective disorder involving unusual shifts in mood, energy and behavior. It is common to have dramatic fluctuations between a normal mood and depression or elation. Bipolar disorder makes it difficult for college students to perform academically and can have a strong effect on personal relationships.

There are two types of bipolar disorder:

Sometimes people with bipolar disorder experience a mixed episode, which includes symptoms of mania and depression at the same time. Feelings can include sadness and hopelessness together with agitation and high energy. If bipolar disorder becomes severe, it is possible to have symptoms of psychosis, such as delusions and hallucinations. Cyclical mood swings with less severe symptoms can signal a milder form of bipolar disorder called cyclothymia.

Bipolar I and II Treatment

There is no cure for bipolar disorder, but it is possible to manage your symptoms with treatment and lead a healthy productive life. Ignoring bipolar disorder will likely worsen symptoms and cause rapid-cycling between manic and depressive episodes.

Treatment of bipolar disorder involves medication and psychotherapy. Psychiatrists usually prescribe a class of medications called mood stabilizers, such as Lithium or Depakote. Anti-depressants may be used in conjunction with mood stabilizers but patients must be closely monitored to ensure they don’t trigger a manic or hypomanic episode.

You can manage your symptoms by focusing on:

Helping a Friend or Roommate with Bipolar Disorder

If your friend or roommate has symptoms of bipolar disorder:

Bipolar Disorder Resources

Psychotic Disorders/Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is part of a group of psychotic disorders that alter the ability to think, respond, communicate and behave clearly. Psychotic disorders are usually treatable.

There are a number of mental illnesses considered psychotic disorders in addition to schizophrenia, including:

The exact cause of psychotic disorders is unknown. Some experts believe the nerve cell receptors in brains of people with schizophrenia do not work properly when interacting with a brain chemical called glutamate, which can lead to abnormal thinking and perception.

Researchers have also discovered several factors that play a role. Many psychotic disorders run in families, which suggests that there is a genetic tendency. There are also many environmental factors that are involved, including major life changes such as going away to college, stress and drug abuse.

Symptoms of Psychotic Disorders

Symptoms can be severe enough to make meeting the ordinary demands of life impossible. Students with a genetic risk for schizophrenia are at risk for triggers because of the stress associated with being in college, such as being away from home for the first time and the increased academic demands. Symptoms of psychotic disorders vary and may change over time. The two major symptoms are delusions and hallucinations.

Delusions are persistent organized beliefs that remain despite evidence to the contrary. For example, a person with schizophrenia may believe they are being followed around campus, even though there is no reason to believe so and no evidence.

Hallucinations are sensory perceptions of things that are not really there in real life. Examples include hearing voices, feeling like you are being touched, smelling odors or funny tastes in your mouth.

Other examples of psychotic symptoms include:

Treatment of Psychotic Disorders/Schizophrenia

If you are having symptoms of psychosis get help immediately. There are no physical tests for psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. If symptoms are present, doctors will first rule out a physical reason. Mental health professionals trained to diagnose and treat mental illnesses use interview and assessment tools designed for making a diagnosis.

Unless people with psychotic disorders are in danger of hurting themselves or others, or need stabilization, mental health professionals treat them as outpatients. Treatment includes antipsychotic medications and psychotherapy. Antipsychotics are not a cure, but can help manage symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations.

Helping a Friend or Roommate with a Psychotic Disorder

If your friend or roommate has symptoms of a psychotic disorder:

Resources for Schizophrenia and Psychosis

ADHD

The transition from high to college is challenging for all students, but especially for those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Multiple distractions, high academic expectations and a new independence are difficult to manage when you have ADHD, which involves the inability to focus or control behavior out of the normal range for a person’s age and development. There are three types of ADHD:

Although researchers don’t know what causes ADHD, there appears to be genetic links. Prenatal issues such as smoking and alcohol-use during pregnancy and prematurity may also contribute to ADHD.

While ADHD is not a learning disability, it can still interfere with learning and behavior. However, some people with ADHD also have a learning disorder.

Symptoms of ADHD

ADHD Treatment

ADHD is treated with therapy to address time management and organizational skills. Therapists also help people with ADHD to handle emotional issues such as anxiety and depression.

Some people with ADHD find medication works well to manage their symptoms. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two types of ADHD medication: stimulants and non-stimulants.

Helping a Friend or Roommate with ADHD

Living with someone who has ADHD involves certain challenges. It is important to deal with these issues when they first arise instead of waiting for them to build up. In addition:

ADHD Resources

Sleep Issues

There are so many benefits to sleep. Sleep restores energy, fights physical and emotional illnesses and strengthens memory. It is also necessary for normal motor and cognitive function. Unfortunately, college students are getting less sleep than they need. Most students get an average of six hours of sleep a night, or even less. The college years are often a time of sleep deprivation. Lack of sleep affects your health and mood as well as your safety.

The average adult needs 6-10 hours of sleep a night, but the amount varies. If you find yourself sleeping an extra two hours per night on weekends, it can be a sign you aren’t getting enough sleep during the rest of the week.

Consequences of sleep loss for college students include:

The Connection between Sleep and Mental Illness

Signs of a Sleep Disorder

You may have a sleep disorder if:

Make an appointment with a physician to rule out a medical reason. If you suspect your sleep problems are related to anxiety or depression, visit the school counseling center.

Setting a Sleep Routine

To manage any sleep disorder, it helps to establish a sleep routine. By creating a ritual that helps your mind and body wind down at the end of the day, you prepare yourself for sleep. Some things you can do to create a sleep routine are:

Sleep Disorder Resources