What high school and college students should know about mental health
Photo by Ermin Celikovic
Whether they’re in high school or college, pursuing further education or training, or starting a career, young people live in an exciting time that’s also fraught with stress and uncertainty. So it’s no surprise when we see behavioral health issues and challenges among our youth. In fact, one in every five college-age youth has had some form of mental health diagnosis.
But even though many young people face a psychiatric diagnosis and/or behavioral health challenge, they still can move forward successfully with their lives and careers. The key to such success is identifying the symptoms and taking appropriate action to care for one’s self.
One of the most common mental health challenges facing young people is depression. An article published by BestColleges.com outlines some of the typical symptoms of depression among college students:
- Feelings of sadness or unhappiness
- Change in appetite or weight
- Slowed thinking or speech
- Loss of interest in activities or social gatherings
- Fatigue, loss in energy, sleeplessness
- Feelings of guilt or anger over past failures
- Trouble concentrating, indecisiveness
- Anger or frustration for no distinct reason
- Thoughts of dying, death and suicide
Upon identifying symptoms, the first step young people can take toward mental health involves taking care of one’s self. This includes regular exercise, healthy eating, taking time for fun and relaxation, and finding a support system of other people to whom one can turn for help. Also, if needed, youth should receive any appropriate medications, treatments or services.
Of course, students and family should always consult behavioral health and primary care providers in the process of preparing youth with behavioral health concerns for the transition to college or post-high school life. This is true whether or not these students live at home, live on their own or go away to school.
As youth move forward with their lives, they should learn responsibility for their own mental and physical health care. This means they should know their behavioral and medical histories, schedule and keep appointments, take medications and refill prescriptions as directed and needed, and sign up for any special services at their college or other institution, among other responsibilities.
Young people’s road to mental health success is paved with a combination of good education, qualified care and personal responsibility. To learn more about how to give them a head start down that road, please go to www.philhaven.org or call 800-932-0359.
Fran Sparrow, MD, is the medical director of Philhaven, the 14th largest mental and behavioral healthcare provider in the United States. A staff of 1,100, with clinical staff that includes 57 doctors (MD’s, PhDs, PsyDs) and over 165 master’s level clinicians, offer services through 50 programs in 22 physical locations in Lebanon, Lancaster, Dauphin and York counties. Each year, the organization serves 25,000 persons in a continuum of care that includes hospitalization, residential and day programs, outpatient counseling and support delivered in the home, school and community.
