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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : February 24, 2015 1:31 AM IST
Mental health issues are a serious problem amongst today's college-going crowd. Peer pressure, spiralling costs, academic problems, substance abuse, romantic stress and a clash of traditional cultures and Western values are some everyday problems youngsters have to content with. Here are some common mental health issues that haunt campuses:
It's quite common among students to pass off depression as academic stress but students need to realise that depressive tendencies could be a symptom of more serious mental health issues. A 2012 study on college students in the US showed that 44% students have one or more symptoms of depression and they don't have access to proper counselling to identify the source of their depression. (Read: 'Depression is as common as the common cold nowadays')
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of depression.
Of course college is a harrowing time but for some juggling assignments and exams can lead to severe levels of anxiety. There needs to be a system in place which can allow students an outlet to voice their grievances and also have proper counselling to pinpoint the source of the anxiety and figure out solutions to overcome it. (Read: How to deal with exam result anxiety)
Suicide
The worst possible outcome of an untreated mental illness is suicide. Even for people without a serious mental disorder, the stress of an independent environment can lead to suicidal thoughts. Anyone who has seriously considered suicide should seek professional help immediately. Suicide hotlines staffed by specialists are usually the quickest and most discreet options for people to get the care and attention they need. (Read: Why have adolescent suicides gone up by four times in the last twenty years?)
This is a major mental health disorder often characterized by extreme bouts of depression followed by periods of manic activity. With the stress and workload many college students face, it's easy to pass off symptoms of bipolar disorder as mood swings. However, bipolarity is a debilitating condition. (Read: Bipolar disorder: Symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment)
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of bipoalar disorder.
Eating disorders
Even though eating disorders aren't as prevalent in India as the US, the problem is catching. Goaded by media into achieving a perfect body, many youngsters develop eating disorders. For others, the stress of a busy social, academic and work schedule may make it difficult for them to find time to eat properly, which could also lead to a serious eating disorder down the line. The most common of them are anorexia or bulimia. (Read: Research: Eating disorders linked to traumatic experiences)
Addiction
For individuals of any age, addiction can lead to significant and life threatening health issues without proper treatment. Addiction can be especially devastating for young people, who may turn to drugs, alcohol, or food to deal with general stress or an underlying mental health disorder. (Read: 10 celebrities who beat drug addiction)
Self-harm
Unlike other mental health issues, the underlying reason behind why young people choose to physically harm themselves still eludes researchers. Moreover, people who do harm themselves tend to do so in private and on areas of the body that may not be visible to others. Self-harm is a serious mental health issue that should be monitored by a trained mental health specialist.
Tips to deal with the mental health problems in college students
For college students and young people who do not struggle with significant mental health issues, there are still actionable steps to take in order to relieve stress and anxiety. Here are some suggestions to take into consideration:
Physical Activity
Physical activity releases 'happy chemicals' in our brain known as endorphins that can have an almost immediate impact in balancing our mind and body's negative reaction toward stress and anxiety. Physical activity can also boost self-confidence and increase our ability to think clearly, focus, and inspire others to do the same. (Read: 10 awesome fitness workouts for the perfect you!)
Sleep and Diet Changes
Major changes in diet or sleep habits can also lead to elevated levels of stress or anxiety in a college student. Consistently staying up late to study for exams or finish assignments can mean some degree of sleep deprivation, which could lead to poor academic performance or more serious mental health issues. What's worse is that sleep deprivation and poor diet often go hand in hand. Dramatic shifts in diet will also impact a student's academic performance and mental health.
Psychiatric Care
If a student finds that the amount of stress they face is becoming too much to handle on their own, obtaining psychiatric care should be given serious consideration. Inpatient or outpatient care may be pursued depending on the severity of the mental health issues faced by the individual in need of care. Mental health specialists are there to help us overcome stress, anxiety, and many other issues impacting mental health. Remember that seeking psychiatric care should never be thought of as unreasonable.
Relaxation Exercises
No matter how stressed or anxious students become, there should always be something to count on as a source of positive relaxation. That said, many young people may not be able to find the opportunity to relax in the way that they prefer. Nonetheless, there are several quick and easy relaxation exercises to explore. Taking a few breaks each day to stretch, meditate, or even pick out a comfortable set of clothing can work to significantly reduce anxiety throughout the day.
Therapy and Counselling
Even if a young person feels that the stress in their life is not affecting their mental health, seeking therapy and counselling to understand how to better manage anxiety can still be helpful. Students may feel they have an exceptionally high tolerance for stress and anxiety, but that failing to learn new and better ways to manage their stress could rapidly lead to more serious mental health issues. Seeking therapy and counselling is often the safest and most effective way to get personalized advice before stress becomes a much more serious problem.
So don't neglect mental health issues. They are as real and debilitating as physiological conditions.
The above resource is an edited version of the CRITICAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTSpublished by onlinecolleges.net.
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