Stress Management Among Students In Universities
Many students in university experience stress, which can lead to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. In this post, we explore how students are increasingly experiencing more stress at school, how this can cause mental illnesses and what you can do to help your student stay healthy.
We'll be discussing the effects of increased workloads on students, the ways that colleges tend to exacerbate these pressures rather than relieve them, and ways that schools are actually responding (or not) to these new pressures. We'll also cover treatment options for mental illness among university-aged adults as well as steps you might take if you're a parent or friend of someone who is struggling with these issues.
I. Why are university students so stressed out?
The answer to this question is complex, but it's not for a lack of research that has been conducted on the topic over the past few years. What we know for sure is that stress can definitely be a negative thing -- in both schools and lives. But there is also evidence that suggests that high levels of stress can actually cause mental illness, such as depression and anxiety. As a result, many schools have begun to embrace whole-campus wellness teams and engage in more concerted efforts to reduce stress, even if they don't have much effect on improving mental health in the short term.
II. What are the effects of increased workload on stress levels?
"If you're taking on too much, your brain's resources are spread too thin, so then you start to feel anxiety and depression."
-- Kim Muir, a professor at the University of Maryland who has studied stress among college students in her lectures. (Source)
This is a question that is still hotly debated among academics and educators; in one study, for example, researchers found that by delivering more coursework to students over two years, nearly six percent fewer students experienced symptoms of depression or anxiety. In another report , it was found that increasing workload for first-year students didn't seem to have much effect on stress levels. Frequent reminders of their coursework may have had more of an effect.
III. What are colleges doing to address the problem?
Here's where things get a little complicated: Many universities, especially at the big research institutions, have been trying to address the issue of increased workload in recent years. However, it's not necessarily clear that these efforts are very effective; some do show some evidence of reducing stress among students, while others don't seem to make much difference at all.
"The way they've dealt with this is they've essentially cut back on their guidance counselors and started having more direct talks with students about what can be done. The problem is that there's only so much you can do, and the university doesn't take on more of the burden."
-- Ozan Jaquette, a professor at Yale who studies college student stress. (Source)
IV. How to stay mentally healthy at school: resources for students and parents
Several schools have developed comprehensive wellness policies meant to help students manage their academic work with their personal lives. These programs include both wellness workshops and mentorship programs that offer exclusive discounts on mental health services for students who sign up for them.
Lafayette College in Easton, PA, for example, developed a comprehensive wellness program that includes several components. The school encourages students to work with a student mentor and current students who have had similar experiences to get the best advice possible. Some schools have also begun to provide their students with more options outside of school that are specifically focused on stress management. (Source: Huffington Post , USA Today ).
The University of California, Berkeley has one of the best programs in the country -- they call it " Beyond Campus Stress ." This program provides a variety of services for students who are struggling with mental health issues or unhealthy behaviors and incorporates both a counseling center and group activities aimed at helping college-aged adults manage stress. The program offers students access to resources like self-help and relaxation strategies, problem-solving classes and coping skills. (Source: UC Berkeley Health Center ).
Additionally, most schools now offer a variety of mental health services for students who are struggling with stress or other mental illnesses. Many universities now offer counseling centers that are specifically designed for student needs; these centers often have counselors that focus on specific populations, such as international students or first-generation college students.
If you're worried about your student's mental health, consider scheduling an appointment with your school's counseling center -- many of these are free to use. If you're not at school, consider speaking to your student's college adviser or mental health expert -- they can often provide a referral to a qualified professional.
If you know someone who is struggling with mental illness, don't hesitate to reach out and offer your support; it's one of the best ways that we can help lower the incidence of these problems and may even prevent suicide among some students. The more support we can offer people who are struggling, the better off they'll be, so please continue to share this information with others!
Sources: QZ , USA Today , UC Berkeley Health Center . (Image is from http://www.theatozfiles.com/suicide-statistics-2013.htm)
I don't feel like I'm well prepared for college yet. What can I do?
You can definitely take the time to be sure you're ready for college. You'll want to make sure that you've taken the necessary steps to earn a good GPA, as well as keep an eye on your overall tests and final grades in high school so that you're prepared for what's ahead. You should also start thinking about what you'd like your major to be, and consider taking more classes in key areas of study if you think it will help you when you get to college.
One of the best ways to start preparing for college is to talk to your guidance counselor or your high school's counseling center and find out what resources are available at your school. Look through the school's health center, look at the resource services that they provide, and consider talking with a counselor and making an appointment if you think this would be helpful. You may also want to look into taking an online course or two related to your future studies; these are often a good way to help you warm up to the idea of college while you're still in high school.
Where can I find help if I'm having a problem?
Talk to someone. There's no shame in reaching out for help when you need it, and your parents, teachers and guidance counselors are usually a good place to start. They can point you to mental health resources in your area and help you connect with the support that you might need. There are also hotlines , like Crisis Text Line or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline , that will allow you to chat anonymously with someone who is trained in crisis intervention.
If your college doesn't have an active counseling center on campus, don't hesitate to contact a doctor or psychiatrist .
Conclusion: what you can do to keep dealing with college stress
College is a huge step for your education and also for your social development. It's up to you to make the most of your experience; beyond that, you need to take care of yourself in order to ensure that college doesn't take too much out of you. Don't wait until the last minute and try to cram all of the information into your head within a few weeks -- it's impossible and will only result in stress. Instead, give yourself time and try to balance your personal life with school so that both aspects work well together.