Nationally, mental health is a growing concern for college students, with students increasingly reporting and seeking help related to their mental health. This may be partially due to changing attitudes; mental health problems carry less stigma, so students are more inclined to acknowledge problems, seek help, get diagnosed and find effective treatment.
You may want to try the following strategies for helping your student as they navigate adulthood:
Check-in: Ask how your student is doing in areas of their lives outside of the classroom. You can use the U-M Model of Personal Well-being as way to guide the conversation. Your student may benefit from your encouragement to find balance through meeting basic needs such as eating, sleeping, being physically active and maintaining relationships.
Listen: For many students, just being heard and knowing someone cares can make all the difference.
Normalize feelings: According to U-M Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the most commonly reported issue among students is anxiety, followed by depression. Other common problems center around academic concerns, relationships and self-confidence/ self-esteem. If your student experiences any of these, they are certainly not alone.
Sometimes it's necessary to acknowledge that it's okay to not be okay. In fact, the campus campaign Messages of Hope encourages students to maintain hope and resilience to get make it through tough times.
If your student reports feeling lonely, you may find it helpful to read an earlier Family Matters article titled, Alone in Feeling Lonely?
If your student experiences "winter blues" or seasonal affective disorder (SAD) from the long, dark Michigan winters, exposure to light may help improve mood. Lightboxes will soon be available at CAPS' new Wellness Zone in Pierpont Commons on North Campus, opening winter 2019. If SAD is a concern, a light box could also make a great present for your student.
If your student struggles with sleep, see Top Sleep Hacks for U-M Students.
Encourage your student to seek help if needed: If your student is struggling more than usual, you can let them know that relief is possible and that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. The university offers free Health and Wellness Campus Resources, as well as multiple options for students suffering from anxiety, including:
Not sure what to suggest for your student or want advice? You can call the Dean of Students Office at 734-764-7420 for help.
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