Sometimes adjustment to college is really rough. It can cause serious panic attacks and neurosis. Often it resolves when people calm down, get some rest, eat right, get some counseling on campus. But sometimes the sheer shock of moving away from home, living in a dorm which is VERY stressful, and then college pressures cause severe mental illness, or unleashes the hidden demons of psychosis and bipolar disorder (often it doesnt surface until late teens-early twenties), and then a crisis unfolds…and sometimes a tragedy. Pay attention people. Breakdowns at college are very common. I hope this helps.
Certainly these problems can and do happen and certainly everyone should be aware and take action if they see severe depression/anxiety symptoms cropping up in anyone they know. But at least in my college experience the type of severe breakdowns described are not “very common” (in fact fortunately, I don’t know anyone who had such a terrible problem)…
I would caution parents not to read this article and over-react. It is perfectly normal for freshman to be anxious and even a little sad especially until they get their footing socially and academically. It can be a great idea to go to the counseling center to seek out support if it is needed. But there is a huge difference between those feelings/actions (which often pass once students settle in) and the type of severe breakdowns in the article posted.
-I did not dismiss the article and in fact I stated that vigilance with these issues is important.
I was a Fordham and am familiar with the issues. Many of the ER visits are for things like illnesses (I had friends hospitalized for a very high fever, appendicitis etc. There are also hospitalizations for over-drinking (if reported by the Good Samaritan policy) etc. which are all different from hospitalizations due to complete mental breakdowns.
–While they are present for those who wish to partake, I did not see any “terrible” drug or alcohol issues at Fordham, especially as compared to what other friends saw/experienced at their schools.
–I did read the email about the stressed-out students. Heck, I was stressed out when I started Fordham. The fact is that is hard to be a freshman new to a college. BUT that in now way means that the student is anywhere near a total mental collapse. In fact all I needed was some time to settle in so I could find my friends and get comfortable in classes. Fortunately my parents were supportive and positive without being overbearing. Hovering over-concerned parents would have only made things for difficult for me. Every parents needs to keep in touch with his/her own child and do what they feel is needed. I stand my my comment that parents should not over-react to this article.