4 Must-Do's for College Mental Health

I remember college fondly as the most transformative and fun time of my life. I experienced some of my worst heartbreaks, proudest triumphs, and most cringe-worthy mistakes. I also formed my most precious friendships. Now that I’m on the other side teaching, mentoring, and treating college students, I see just how challenging college can be. Academic demands are raised to a whole new level. And this is often the first time you're living away from home and having to be independent. The newfound freedom and responsibility are both intoxicating and intimidating. There are no more guard rails. All of this is hard enough, but if you're a college student who struggles with mental health, the college experience can be especially difficult, and even dangerous.

Mental health challenges are common for college students

A 2018 report from the World Mental Health Surveys International College Student project found that one-third of college freshmen reported experiencing mental health problems in the past year. Another large-scale study of over 150,000 college students found that in the past 10 years the percentage of students who have had a diagnosed mental health problem at some point in their lives increased from 22% to 36%.

The good news is that, during this period, stigma about mental illness has gone down. The bad news is that the rates of depression and suicidality have gone up. It’s very possible that the rates were always high and they’re just now being revealed because students are more willing to talk about their struggles.

More students are reaching out for help. But, of course, this isn't the end of the story.

This topic is especially close to my heart because of the tragic history of student suicides at my alma mater, Cornell University. During my junior year, there were six suicides within six months. It shook our community to the core. The data since then have been encouraging—more students are reaching out for help. But, of course, this isn't the end of the story. 

Students of color are just as likely as White students to have mental health needs but are much less likely to seek help. September is National Suicide Prevention Month. It's a good time to think about the importance of setting up college students for optimal mental health while they pursue one of the most challenging endeavors of life.

4 things to do for your mental health in college

There are...

Keep reading on Quick and Dirty Tips