{"id":39057,"date":"2025-09-30T13:09:23","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T17:09:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/?p=39057"},"modified":"2025-11-14T11:35:06","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T16:35:06","slug":"prioritizing-mental-health-for-college-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/articles\/prioritizing-mental-health-for-college-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Prioritizing mental health for college students"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a 2023 survey<\/a> of more than 90,000 students across 133 U.S. campuses, 44% reported symptoms of depression, while 37% said they experienced anxiety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With today\u2019s college students being increasingly open to seeking treatment for mental health, it\u2019s helpful to remind staff what they can do to meet them halfway when it comes to support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common college stressors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

College students \u2014 especially those just starting out \u2014 navigate many day-to-day challenges that could cause stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCollege 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.,\u201d says Amy Marschall, Psy.D<\/a>. \u201cAdditionally, 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.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Academic pressure<\/strong> \u2013 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\u2019s easy for students to feel like they\u2019re always playing catch-up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding a tribe<\/strong> \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social media<\/strong> \u2013 Students are constantly encountering the curated social feeds of their peers and comparing it to their own lives. \u201cOther people\u2019s social media presence is often airbrushed and perfected, and we run the risk of comparing their \u201cdirector\u2019s cut\u201d to our own behind-the-scenes footage,\u201d says Marschall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uncertainty about the future<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cWhat am I doing with my life?\u201d is a question that most students ask themselves at some point. Career doubts, impending changes, or fear of the \u201creal world\u201d after graduation can all lead to anxiety<\/a> and self-doubt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs students might need support<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> may be struggling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Negative feelings<\/strong> \u2013 Sadness, anxiety, numbness, anger, and frustration \u2014 if someone feels any of those emotions consistently, it may be time to take a closer look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Irregular sleeping<\/strong> \u2013 It\u2019s 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changes in appetite<\/strong> \u2013 Skipping meals or eating for comfort can be signs of deeper issues that warrant paying attention to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disinterest in activities<\/strong> \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where students seek help<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that students have plenty of easily accessible resources to support their mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On-campus resources<\/strong> \u2013 Colleges and universities have student health and wellness centers that offer free or low-cost counseling and mental health services. It\u2019s crucial to make sure these resources are visible and easily accessible for students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peer support programs<\/strong> \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professors and advisors<\/strong> \u2013 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\u2019s important for them to be prepared and know where to direct students who may be in need of support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online mental health support<\/strong> \u2013 While it ultimately comes down to personal preference, today\u2019s college students are open to trying telehealth options for mental health (and there are more resources<\/a> available than ever before). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make space for mental health <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While mid-day naps and weekends relaxing with friends are a major part of the college experience, they aren\u2019t a full substitute for mental health support. Encouraging wellness and self-care in college students only goes so far \u2014 it\u2019s important to establish and foster support resources within the college system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo be fully honest, I don\u2019t like the emphasis on \u2018embracing self-care\u2019 to address mental health because a lot of stressors that negatively impact mental health are embedded in systemic issues,\u201d says Marschall. \u201cIt puts responsibility for mental health struggles on individuals who are often in impossible situations to actually enact the strategies. It means we don\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mental Health Crisis on College Campuses<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are the Warning Signs of Depression in College Students?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Survey: Students Turn to Loved Ones, Social Media First for Mental Health Help<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peer Support: A Student-Led Approach to Mental Wellbeing<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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