Starting the Conversation: College and Your Mental Health, Part I

Did you know that 75% of all mental health conditions begin by age 24? That’s why the college years are so critical for understanding and talking about mental health. 

College life is full of opportunities for personal growth, greater independence and exploration of new social and academic experiences. New experiences make college an exciting time, but one that may also be stressful. Stress may come from keeping up with academic demands, forging new relationships and managing greater independence. Changes in stress levels, along with new sleep patterns and eating habits, can have a big impact on your health. 

Stressors that may affect mental health in College Students

Relationship breakups

 Academic pressures -Poor grades
Financial stress Social status pressures -  Feeling alone or homesick
Feeling marginalized, misunderstood or like you don’t fit in
 Concern or worry about your family members at home
 Loss of day-to-day family or community support
 Drug and alcohol use
 Inadequate sleep
Feeling overwhelmed
Grief
Gender and sexuality questioning
Friendship challenges
Sports team losses
Unmet expectations

The importance of Building Connections 

 Connections with others, including involvement with campus and community activities, can help you protect your mental health.Explore opportunities through your campus student activities center and get involved in one or more of the following:Campus events Campus clubs Campus interest groups Sports  Student organizations Volunteer activities.NAMI and the Jed foundation

Editor, I Would Add To This, Find A Local Church Which Has A College And Career Class.SB

Please go to the following website to purchase a book which gives a spiriutal, technical and personal account of someone with a mental illness.

https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Minds-Healing-Youre-Losing-ebook/dp/B004EPYNLE/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=&dpID=51zWqnqs0oL&preST