College and Mental Health
There are many challenges to college on mental health.
Students are forced to deal with too much stress, too fast. There's no time to adjust, because they have to jump right into college-level work and social life immediately upon entering school.
The pressure of being away from home for the first time can be a major trigger for depression and anxiety issues among young people.
College can be a difficult time for a person's mental health
College can be a difficult time for a person's mental health. College students are faced with a lot of changes, from trying to figure out who they are and what they want in life, to dealing with the pressures of schoolwork and exams. This can lead to feelings of isolation or loneliness that can impact your mental health.
Students compare themselves to their peers
It's common for college students to compare themselves to their peers and feel like they aren't measuring up because everyone else seems so much more accomplished than them (or at least it feels like it!). This can cause you to feel inadequate, which is not good for anyone's self-esteem! Students can feel like they are falling behind if they compare themselves to friends and family who are not in college. If you have a sibling, cousin or friend who is not in school, it can be easy to compare yourself with them. While you're busy studying for exams and writing papers, they may be working full-time jobs or already starting their own businesses. You might start feeling like you are not as smart as your peers or like you don't know as much about what's going on in the world around you because of all this extra time spent studying (or maybe even just sleeping).
It may be tempting to also see other's in similar fields of study having varying levels of success. Social media doesn't so us any favors in the comparison game. When we get sucked into Instagram or other social media site, we are shown the highlights of other's lives including our peers. You might see someone your age who has a lot of followers or who is even making a living off of things like social media. You might see someone you went to high school with post about the fun parties, the new relationships, or other educational/career opportunities. What social media doesn't usually show us is are the more difficult or even more ordinary times in life. It does not show you the times when your friend also felt lonely or when they got a bad grade on their test or bad news from a parent.
It's also important to remember that people come from different backgrounds and have different motivations for going into certain fields of study -- so don't be discouraged if someone else seems more advanced than you academically!
Students are away from home and their usual support system
Being away from home and your usual support system can be challenging for many reasons. For example, you may not have anyone to talk to about your problems or concerns. You might also feel like an outsider because of the different customs and values in college compared with those at home. In addition, it's common for students to feel homesickness during their first year of school--and this feeling can lead to depression if left untreated. All of us are looking for a sense of connection and belonging. When we don't seem to feel that or feel like we have found "our people" we begin to feel lonely and perhaps begin to think something is wrong with you or your experience in college.
For some people, being away from home means having less structure than they're used to; others might find that having more freedom makes them nervous or anxious about making mistakes or doing things wrong (or right!). Regardless of whether these feelings are rational or not, they can lead us into thinking negatively about ourselves and our abilities as we try new things out on our own. Many students can get caught up in trying to make sure everything is under control and everything is just right which in some cases can develop into a form of perfectionism or even OCD. Some students struggle with finding healthy schedules to balance physical activity, friends, school, jobs, family, and more.
College students are faced with a lot of choices
College students are faced with a lot of choices. Sometimes the amount of choices can feel overwhelming. As a result, many students experience stress and anxiety that can lead to depression or other mental health issues such as substance abuse.
Students are also under a lot of pressure, both in and outside the classroom. This is especially true if they have to work while going to school because they can’t afford not to.
College students are trying to figure out who they are, and this can be an isolating process. They're trying to find their place in the world, so they might not want to be around people who remind them of home or high school. They're also working hard at figuring out what they want to do with their lives--so when someone asks what major you're studying, it's not always easy to answer right away.
It's common for college freshmen (and even some sophomores) to feel lonely during their first year of school--especially if a lot of your friends have already graduated from high school and gone off into the world as independent adults who have made real connections with other adults outside of family members or close friends from childhood.
Finding Counseling can be a challenge.
Finding a counselor can be difficult. While many universities have counseling centers, they may have long waitlists and limited resources. Additionally, finding a counselor who specializes in college students can be tough because there is no certification for this type of work (unlike other mental health professionals).
Finding the right fit for you isn't always easy either. Counselors often specialize in different areas such as depression or anxiety or OCD--and some people may prefer one style over another when it comes to therapy sessions.
Finding the right counselor for yourself is important.
Finding the right counselor for yourself is important. You want to find someone who has experience helping students with similar issues as yours. It's also important that you feel comfortable talking to them, so make sure they have the right qualifications and education before making an appointment.
Students can find themselves in a lot of situations where they feel lonely, but that doesn't mean they have to stay there. There are many resources available for students who need help with their mental health and wellbeing. It's important for them to know what those resources are so they can get connected with someone who can help guide them through these difficult times.
