Overwhelmed by CollegeIn a recent survey of more than 150,000 students nationwide entitled, “The American Freshman: National Norms Fall 2014,” researchers found that 9.5 percent of college students surveyed responded that they had frequently “felt depressed” during the past year. Compared to 6.1 percent who responded similarly five years ago, this represents a significant increase. The number of students who “felt overwhelmed” by schoolwork and other commitments rose from 27.1 percent to 34.6 percent. This survey has been conducted for almost 50 years by the Cooperative Institutional Research Program at the University of California, Los Angeles‘s Higher Education Research Institute. The survey assesses hundreds of categories, from political views to exercise habits. It is considered one of the most comprehensive overviews of current trends among recent high school graduates, and is often used as a helpful indicator to mental health professionals. What is going on? It may be that we are asking more of students as they complete high school: in order to be competitive in a global marketplace, some students may believe that they must take multiple advanced placement courses, be involved in several extracurricular activities, have a job, and participate in volunteer work. Additionally, there is the added pressure of social media, where students have to appear to be happy, social and “put-together.” Maintaining an on-line persona can be stressful and take considerable effort. As we work to support young people in their transition to college, a visit to the health center on campus may be a good starting point. Many young people aren’t sure where to go for help when their stress level rises to levels that they aren’t sure how to manage. If additional resources are needed, student services may have recommendations for local clinicians or other supports. For students who have had struggles prior to college, it is often useful to set up support services ahead of time, as it is easier to decrease levels of support that aren’t needed than it may be to pull together resources in a time of emotional crisis. If you know a young person who may benefit from additional support during the transition to college, please consider TRACKS by PRN. You can learn more at: http://www.prnforfamilies.com/tracks_by_prn/ |
Parent Anxiety?Just as a young adult child may struggle during his or her transition to college, parents may struggle as well. Letting go can be difficult, as can watching your child try to handle the stress of their new-found independence. Oftentimes parents don’t seek out the same kinds of support that they are asking their child to access, even when they may need to do so. Seeking out other parents who are going through the same thing to talk about the mixed emotions that may come with this life transition can help. Additional tips on supporting this transition can be found here: http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/letting-go-new-college-students/
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PRN On The Air!Monday, August 31st at 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
PRN’s Founder/Clinical Director, Charles Elias, and Director of Outreach & Marketing, Mary Jo DeGrandi, will be featured on next week’s episode of One Hour At A Time, a radio program hosted by Mary Woods of Westbridge Community Services. One Hour At A Time focuses on increasing awareness about recovery from substance abuse and mental illness, and decreasing stigma and discrimination against individuals in the recovery process. The show is broadcast live on VoiceAmerica Health and Wellness every Monday afternoon.
Please join us at 3 p.m. Eastern on Monday, 8/31 here:
or here:
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Specializations – Neuro-developmental disorders * Spectrum disorders * Bipolar * Depression * Anxiety * OCD * Trauma/stress or related disorders * Impulse control & conduct disorders * Substance-related & addictive disorders * Personality disorders * Adoption * Educational/occupational problems* Problems related to primary support group, social environment & legal system.
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