Guiding Parents on How to Assist Students with Mental Health Issues Upon Arrival
May 27, 2025 Update: Correction Made to Atlanta Journal-Constitution Spelling
As the academic year approaches for many college-bound students, parents and families play a crucial role in supporting these students, particularly those with a history of mental health concerns. A recent report on Forbes.com offers insights into unique ways parents can offer such support.
Vigilance Amid Transition
While college may symbolize a fresh start, the transition can also bring significant stress and exacerbate existing mental health issues. A report on VeryWellMind.com reveals that change often triggers stress. Incoming students may face a multitude of changes at once, causing stress levels to spike in the first year. Parents can help by instilling vigilance about monitoring personal stress and symptoms, ensuring their child is equipped to navigate this critical period.
Family History Matters
Understanding a student's family history of mental health issues can aid in diagnoses and treatment planning. A 2023 report from the Harvard Graduate School of Education highlights the mental health challenges faced by young adults, emphasizing the importance of knowing one's family history. Familiarity with such risk factors can help both students and parents make informed decisions about care.
Navigating Campus Support Systems
Knowing where to find help on campus is essential, but understanding how these resources work can be just as critical. A Forbes.com report explains how families can assess a college's counseling center adequately. In addition to the counseling center, other offices, such as the dean of students, student success, health promotions, and campus health centers, can provide support. Comprehensive knowledge of campus resources is often key to effective support for incoming students.
Planning for Success
Parents should develop realistic plans to address their child's mental health needs. Inquiring about session limits and exploring options like tuition insurance and school policies on medical withdrawals can help ensure a smooth transition to college life. Collaborating with campus mental health professionals can also provide valuable guidance.
Encouraging Help-Seeking
Despite the location of campus counseling centers being common knowledge, not all students will seek help when needed. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, undergraduate men diagnosed with mental health conditions are the least likely group to do so. Encouraging students to seek help and making counseling appear less intimidating can be invaluable in promoting mental health awareness.
Parental support remains vital for incoming college students, especially those with mental health concerns. While addressing these challenges may seem daunting, open communication, self-education, encouragement to use campus resources, regular check-ins, and fostering a supportive network can all contribute to a smoother transition to college life.
- As parents navigate the support of their incoming college students, they should be vigilant about monitoring personal stress and symptoms, especially for those with a history of mental health concerns, as the transition to college can exacerbate existing issues.
- In addition to understanding a student's family history of mental health issues to aid in diagnoses and treatment planning, it's essential for parents to know where to find help on campus and how these resources work, as comprehensive knowledge of campus mental health support systems can contribute significantly to effective support for incoming students.
