the american psychological association reports a dramatic increase in college
campus depression anxiety suicida l ideation alcohol abuse eating disorders
and self-injury what's causing the trend this generation has not necessarily been
given a lot of instruction in time management because this generation has
had their time managed for them more than previous generations they show up
they do what they're supposed to do and then they go to the next thing they're
not actually managing their time their time is being managed for them and then
we drop them off at college and bye bye and good luck with your life that is one
of the real challenges for young people is to take over their own self-
management take control of their lives when they get to college and that is
extremely stressful for young people who haven't really had to do that and as
college tuition increases so does the financial burden of a college education
one of the things that's changed the recently that might impact the mental
health in college campus is one of the stressors are financial stressors think
the college tuition has increased more than the average increase of
household income so there's a lot more financial stress to the family who send
your students of college and student themselves clearly families want
their young people to be successful when they come to a place like this where
they're making a substantial investment regardless of who is paying or how it's
being paid for on this represents a substantial investment and people want
a return on investment and and they use terms like that so I think there's a lot
of pressure on them but it's also the pressure to figure out who you are I think
it's maybe a function of where they're at developmentally lots of expectations
not only from their parents but internal
they feel like they should be a student they their parents feel that way
and once they make it to college that doesn't stop they are coming in unprepared
for what they're going to experience because i think what our society thinks
of as those college years
oh it's gonna be so much fun it's also very stressful and that that's the thing
that they're not preparing themselves well for what practical tips can help
I think we're always looking forward you know what are we going to do next
you know you're so we are over scheduled and so to get them to slow down and to
reflect and to breathe and be in the moment that can really help them a lot
and people think oh you're teaching me how to breathe
yeah that's it you know that's one of those coping skills that you may not
have gotten up until this point talking about it is always good and finding a
trusted friend parent ra colleges have many different safety nets built-in
parents are so under utilized so pick up the phone and calling your mom or dad that
would be helpful