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Recognizing when you need mental health support is a crucial step toward prioritizing your overall well-being. Yet, so often we find ourselves living life at such a fast pace that weโre challenged to acknowledge when weโre struggling and even more paralyzed to take action. In fact, Active Minds reports that 67% of people ages 18-24 with anxiety or depression donโt seek treatment at all.
Mental health connects to student success
For students, finding support to start their journey to become healthier and happier is personal, and it looks different for everyone. Studies show that college students seek support from their peers first, while others prefer to get help from a licensed professional.
Rick Gatteau, VP for student affairs at Stony Brook University, shares how TimelyCareโs ROI for the school is centered on the 24/7 access to high-quality care provided to students.
Investing in mental health support is an investment in studentsโ success and well-being. The collegiate experience is filled with unique challenges, including academic pressure, social adjustments and personal growth. When students prioritize their mental health, they are better equipped to handle these challenges and thrive academically by learning coping strategies and stress management techniques to improve their focus, concentration and overall well-being. This ultimately means better academic performance and a more fulfilling college experience. The mental health support students receive in college will help them to develop resilience and skills that will benefit them long after school.
10 common signs that indicate a student may need support
While signs of mental health challenges vary from person to person, the following are 10 common signs that indicate your student may benefit from support.
1. Persistent sadness or hopelessness
Feeling down or hopeless occasionally is normal, but if you find that your students are experiencing persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness that interfere with their daily life or academics, it may be a sign of depression.
2. Anxiety or excessive worry
While itโs normal to feel anxious before a big exam or presentation, constant worry, irrational fears, or panic attacks may indicate an anxiety disorder.
3. Changes in sleep patterns
Insomnia, trouble falling asleep, waking up frequently during the night, or sleeping excessively can all be signs of underlying mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
4. Loss of interest or enjoyment
Losing interest in activities once enjoyed or feeling a lack of pleasure in life can be a symptom of depression or other mental health conditions.
5. Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
If a student finds it challenging to concentrate, make decisions, or remember things, it could be a sign of depression, anxiety, or another mental health issue.
6. Changes in appetite or weight
Significant changes in appetite or weight, whether itโs eating too much or too little, can be indicators of mental health problems, such as depression or eating disorders.
7. Social withdrawal
Withdrawing from social activities, isolating from friends and family, or avoiding social interactions altogether may signal underlying mental health issues, such as depression or social anxiety.
8. Irritability or anger outbursts
Experiencing unexplained irritability, anger outbursts, or mood swings that are out of character for a student could be a sign of underlying mental health concerns.
9. Physical symptoms without medical explanation
Persistent physical symptoms like headaches, digestive problems, or unexplained aches and pains that donโt have a clear medical cause may be linked to stress or mental health issues.
10. Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
If a student is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, itโs essential for them to seek help immediately. These thoughts are serious and should not be ignored. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young adults.
It is equally important for colleges and universities to be prepared for a crisis in advance. Being prepared for and responding to traumatic events can reduce risk, save lives, and prevent suicide contagion.
Help Your Campus Community Thrive
4 actions to support students
If you recognize any of these signs in your student(s), itโs important to encourage them to seek mental health support. Remind them that they donโt have to navigate these challenges alone. Here are some steps you can take:
1. Talk to someone
Reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, or mentor to share feelings is critical for students to feel safe and supported. Sometimes, simply talking about their feelings can provide relief.
A survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) shows Americans are more likely now than ever to open up about their mental health concerns. According to the research, while stigma remains, 87% of American adults believe having a mental health disorder is nothing to be ashamed of. Additionally, the APA found that Gen Z is more likely to report if they are struggling with their mental health.
Additionally, providing support for campus faculty and staff can help students to feel more comfortable opening up. A recent TimelyCare survey found that 6 out of 10 faculty and staff members are struggling with mental health issues such as stress, anxiety or depression. Additionally, more than half of respondents admitted contemplating leaving their positions due to burnout, heightened workloads and overwhelming stress.
Employee well-being is critical to sustaining the foundation of higher education. Fostering the well-being of this cohort means building and sustaining the backbone of higher education.
Cynthia Hernandez, VP for student success at Texas State University, highlights the importance for on-demand emotional support for students who need to talk to someone.
Matthew Inman, a student at Washington University in St. Louis, talks about how TimelyCare was his introduction to mental health care.
2. Seek professional help
Whether students are on or off campus, developing a comprehensive approach to student health and well-being requires meeting students where they are with resources to improve their mental health whenever, wherever, and however, they need support. Contact TimelyCare to learn how a student-centered approach to mental health today can improve student success outcomes tomorrow.
3. Use support resources
Rick Gatteau, VP for student affairs at Stony Brook University, shares how the institution is leveraging TimelyCareโs marketing assets to help overcome a national trend of men being less likely to seek help.
4. Prioritize self-care
Take care of yourself by practicing self-care activities like exercise, mindfulness, getting enough sleep, and engaging in hobbies that bring you joy.
Prioritize campus mental health to build a thriving campus
Seeking help for your mental health is a sign of strength, not weakness. Students, faculty and staff deserve to feel happy, healthy, and supported, and by providing resources to help them on their journey creates a thriving campus community.
