It doesn’t matter if you’re an 18-year-old fresh out of high school, or a 32-year-old parent going to community college to earn an associate degree in nursing — college is stressful for most students. Struggling with depression and anxiety while trying to balance academics, work and life can make a challenging academic experience even more difficult.
Results from a study released earlier this year found that half of the 4,000-plus community college students surveyed have a current or recent mental health problem. Of those students, less than half are receiving any treatment. Depression and anxiety are the most prevalent disorders among college students.
Community colleges can help students with new or existing mental disorders succeed, experts say.
“A lot of people assume that community colleges don’t have qualified mental health professionals — they do,” says Amy Lenhart, a counselor at Collin College at Preston Ridge in Texas and president of the American College Counseling Association.
Many community colleges have licensed counselors and nurse practitioners who can help students get the primary care they need or serve as a backup for students who need assistance between appointments with their primary physicians.
The type of mental health care available on campus varies by school and state. A 2015 survey from the ACCA found that only about 10 percent of community colleges have psychiatric care available on campus while about 85 percent have psychological care.>
[Learn howstudents with disabilities can find the right college fit. ]
But that shouldn’t deter students from reaching out, experts say. Counselors can help students connect with the right organizations.
“For those who are out of our scope of practice, those for example who might need more psychiatric care than we can provide, we would definitely connect them with the appropriate referrals to make sure they’re getting the help that the need,” Lenhart says.
Students who choose to share their mental disorder with the office of disabilities may be eligible for accommodations, such as preferential seating or assistance with class notes.
Schools may try to help students without insurance get covered through the Affordable Care Act. Uninsured students will likely have access to counseling and psychiatric services. Most campuses allow students to use health services for free, experts say.
“We’re also going to refer them to clinics and social service agencies that accept people without health insurance,” says Sheila Aukes, lead counselor at Des Moines Area Community College in Iowa.
Professors can also be a useful resource for students who need assistance.
“That’s the nice thing about community college instructors; we realize students have lives and life sometimes happens. So if they know up front that the student has issues, and again they don’t have to divulge what that is, but 99.9 percent of instructors will work with the student if something gets in the way for a few days,” Aukes says.
Stigma is the primary reason students don’t seek help, according to a 2012 survey from the National Alliance on Mental Health. Federal laws prevent counselors from passing along information shared by students who who seek treatment or ask for class accommodations.
[Discover three ways students with mental illness can prepare for college.]
Students can gauge the campus attitude toward mental illness by researching schools before enrolling, experts say. Understanding how schools accommodate students with disabilities can help students who have the option to choose between several two-year schools make the best choice.
“Responsible schools should have some basic information about mental health services and supports on the website,” says Darcy Gruttadaro, director of advocacy and public policy at NAMI.
She encourages students to ask questions about what type of counseling is available, where the counseling is provided, office hours and the type of referrals given when schools have limited care.
It’s important for students to pay attention to triggers that may aggravate existing mental health conditions, like stress. Students will need to be realistic about how much responsibility they can handle and maintain their health. Some programs, like nursing, are intense and may require students to adjust other responsibilities such as work hours to accommodate for program requirements and health management, experts say. Students should take care of basic health needs: get sleep, eat healthy foods, exercise and avoid illegal drugs and alcohol, which can aggravate symptoms.
Students can lighten their load by creating a plan for responsibilities, such as child care, before school starts.
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Building a strong support group is important, experts say. Students can find encouragement and support by connecting with peers dealing with similar problems. Organizations like NAMI have campus support groups and peer-to-peer programs across the country. A strong family support group can also help students be successful.
“Stay connected with your support network so that you can keep a perspective on what’s happening and seek help when you need it,” Gruttadaro says.
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Cope With Mental Health Issues as a Community College Student originally appeared on usnews.com
