<p>My question is this: freshmen orientation information varies from campus to campus about signs of depression to look for, how to tell when stress is too much, what to observe in yourself and others. Do any of you have experience with getting information while still in high school, when guidance or other counselors talk about the transition from high school to college? What do you think about the need for these kinds of services for both students and parents? Any great examples of how and where it's being done well?</p>
<p>I feel like we are hearing about multiple suicides on many campuses recently. Schools absolutely need to increase awareness of mental illness and services available. They probably need to improve their mental health services too, but I can’t speak for what each school does and doesn’t offer. I think you are on to something by starting the conversation in HS, both with students and parents so that at least everyone has an idea of what to look for. </p>
<p>The transition from high school to college has involved the same issues for decades, but it seems the rates of depression have recently skyrocketed among college students as well as other age groups. I wish we could get a handle on why this is happening. </p>
<p>I think the real issue is that a lot of mentally ill students don’t experience symptoms until they are in their late teens or early twenties which can coincide with the beginning of college, the first time a student is away from home and before they have formed deep friendships in school. Another factor is the fact that many colleges do a very poor job of providing mental health services and or education to help alleviate the stigma that comes with seeking these services. I think a lot of people suffer in silence because they are too embarrassed and scared that their friends and other adults will find out they are struggling with mental illness. It is very hard to help someone get past that as there is still some people who openly express that they think mental illness is not a real thing when it is something that can have such a profound effect on someone’s life. People need to let students know that they don’t need to suffer alone, there are treatments that can help them live a normal, successful, and happy life if they seek them out.</p>
<p>I have seen different, Poeme. My college has many clubs advocating for mental wellness. The university itself advertises the wellness center, counseling center, and holds many events showing awareness. On campus, and outside of campus, mental illness seems to carry a stigma. Something being “wrong” with you and that you have to seek help carries a stigma. It’s the embarrassment and fear of shame that I feel is more prevalent as to why students are suffering in silence.</p>
<p>That’s good that your college had those programs @Niquii77, many schools don’t and at schools like mine, the programs that are there aren’t run well. My experience is at Penn, which received a lot of negative attention during the winter because of two suicides which occurred very close together. While the suicides had nothing to do with the school, a lot of people, including suicide survivors, were inspired to come forward and talk about their experiences with mental health services at Penn such as trouble the had with the bureaucracy, wait times for counseling, etc. These complaints are not uncommon with schools with similar student bodies to Penn (Cornell, Dartmouth, Yale, etc). The mindset here can make it a pressure cooker academically and socially.</p>
<p>That really is unfortunate. The students should speak up. (Easier said than done). The university should be promoting wellness for its students. For example, my university has a street market that they hold every week and the wellness center is always active and promote their services the the passing students. We have weeks of wellness, workshops, and groups that meet together. Additionally, the residence halls have their own activities put on by the RAs that promote coping with stress. But then again, my university isn’t at the caliber of the Top 20s. You’d think these universities would offer such things…Especially, when the student body needs it.</p>
<p>EDIT: Also, on wait times for counseling, my university tries to schedule the student with a personal therapist within a week. If the student needs emergency counseling, there is always someone to talk to. In the case where the student would like to speak with a therapist before their scheduled date, there are group counseling meetings. It’s actually pretty cool to see the system they’ve set up. It’s sad to see universities that lack these support systems. </p>
<p>I don,t know that even the best wellness programs are going to prevent mental illnesses. Depression the disease is so much more complicated than “if only” colleges would make students more aware or provide more wellness support. </p>
<p>These programs can’t prevent depression, but they can help alleviate it. Depression as a mental illness has many treatment options that can help students improve and recover to live completely happy and successful lives.</p>
<p>I agree with Poeme. These programs aren’t designed to “prevent” depression. They’re there to boost awareness and share knowledge about depression and other mental illness. Raising awareness and educating your student body on where to go for help, what services are available to them, and what signs to look for is a lot better than nothing at all or shoddy services. </p>
<p>The key to all of these programs is you cannot prevent, but you can PREPARE yourself. </p>
<p>Nothing here in high school about depression during the transition. When there are suicides at the high school, or car accidents here or at nearby HS, there will be a spate of programs on these problems. The college does have a number of programs to raise awareness.</p>
<p>It is a personal worry and so I have talked to my kids about it.</p>
<p>There is a hole in the system. The hole come from the inexistent wellness and support programs in high school. IfI had a problem with the death of a family member or friend while I was in high school, what trusted adult could I be able to turn to? Perhaps, a teacher I was close with? My counselor…maybe? When has my high school raised awareness on physical, mental, and emotional health? When have they talked about the warning signs and things that I might have to deal with? Never happened at my high school…or the high school over…or my county. Looking towards colleges that do have these programs in place is a nice start in implementing these sort of programs in high schools. </p>
<p>I have got to wonder what is going on today? Every other kid seems to have various problems. Teens don’t want to move out, and can’t handle it when they do (and I mean major adjustment problems, not a tearful call home now and then). What the heck? What are we doing to kids or their environments or their bodies (GMO,s? pharmaceutical drugs, poisoned air or water?)</p>
<p>They are starving themselves, and cutting themselves, taking drugs and drinking, bullying (or being bullied), and engaging in sexual behavior earlier and earlier and earlier.</p>
<p>Lest someone say that I must have lived a magical “Leave it to Beaver” existence, I will just say no. I had a dying sibling and there were many out-of-the-ordinary stresses. I’ve been through some stuff from an early age - we will just leave it at that. </p>
<p>My generation seemed fairly stable as a whole, and we couldn’t wait to get out our parents homes and start living our adult lives and we didn’t fall apart as soon as we did move out. Was it all my imagination? I don’t think so.</p>
<p>I wonder also TranquilMind. I think it’s a combination of things. But remember that for older parents not that many kids went to college when we went. If kidshad issues in school they didn’t go. Low B/C kids almost never went. There were no drugs to keep kids focused if they lacked focus. Many worked starting as soon as they could. If our parents were wealthy we were often shipped away to school. We were babysitting our siblings as soon as we could (or at least when we were ready in our parents eyes which really meant as soon as possible.) We dealt with the mean girls and the playground buddies with not much interference - no playground “monitors” back in those days. The teachers were tougher and could slam you into a locker without repercussions or wrap your hand with a ruler if you lipped off and the principal stood in the hallway and checked out clothes (and behavior) and hauled you aside if you pushed, shoved, wore your hat inside or too long or your skirts too short or were rude. Parents rarely came to school and if they did, there was generally big trouble for the kid instead of a lawsuit from the parents. If we didn’t make the “cut” for the JV and varsity teams, we didn’t make the cut - no fall back positions. We had alot more freedom than some of today’s kids are given. Ironically “our” parents - the greatest generation - thought we were spoiled and soft. </p>
<p>Related to this discussion, I had a somewhat troubling conversation with my S. I told him how my generation (Boomers) that grew up with the Cold War and the threat of nuclear annihilation were determined to “save the world” and ensure that our children had a much more trouble-free existence than we had, and I asked him if he or his friends had any similar thoughts or goals. He told me: “No, they have pretty much given up on saving the world as they believe everything is hopelessly screwed up. They just want to live as well as they can as long as they can.”</p>
<p>It’s my guess that kids who do not look forward to a better world, to a better future, are more likely to succumb to depression and a feeling of helplessness. </p>
<p>When you visit the universities, particularly for their open houses or accepted student weekends, be certain to visit the campus health center booth/table and find out what they offer and how they reach out to students who may be facing mental health problems. At the university where DD just accepted admission, I was pleasantly surprised to see a boatload of information on their table regarding the mental health services. Individual therapy, group therapy, focus on depression and other mental health challenges, etc. Very impressive. Also be sure to check on your own health policy and whether there is guest membership if your child attends college out of state. DS was at Boston College for freshman year and our health policy had guest membership privileges between CA and MA. He was able to have a primary care physician and all the services he needed in Boston–and still come home and see physicians here, too without any problem. </p>
<p>I have to say I have been very impressed with the mental health programs available at my own kids’ schools, Vanderbilt and Tulane. I am sure being attached to major medical schools and hospital centers has something to do with it. These schools do not just offer lip service about programs. I think most college students, especially those going through challenging life events or financial circumstances, go through periods of depression or anxiety. Knowing that there is good access to help makes a huge difference. I think that as part of the college tour, parents should see what is available to students, and make sure it is substantial and has a good reputation. </p>