What Every Student Needs to Know
College. Before you can choose one, there are APs, SATS, college visits, and applications to worry about. Once you've picked one, there are dorms, meal plans and course schedules to tackle. Wherever you are in the process, it can be a lot to handle. So it's important to take care of your emotional health. Whether you are trying to stay balanced during the college transition, or you or someone you know has dealt with an issue like depression, there are a few things you should know:
1. It Affects You
It’s easy to think of emotional issues as things that affect other people. But studies show that emotional issues — from stress and anxiety to depression and eating disorders — are the main reason college students struggle. Recent research also found that 50 percent of college students have been so stressed that they couldn’t get their school work done during the past year.
2. The Sooner, The Better
If you or a friend are having a hard time, it can be hard to tell if it’s just the ups and downs of campus life, or if it’s a bigger issue. Either way, if your thoughts or feelings are interfering with you ability to do well in school or connect with friends, it makes sense to reach out for help as soon as possible.
3. The Stakes are High
For most students, the consequences of not taking care of emotional health issues are missing out on academic or social opportunities. For others, unaddressed mental health issues can lead to substance abuse and other dangerous behaviors. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. If you’re concerned about yourself or a friend, get help at the first signs of a problem.
4. Take Action
By learning about emotional health, you can help prevent issues like stress, anxiety and depression from interfering with your college experience. And if you or someone you know ends up dealing with something more serious, you’ll know what to do.