Families Must Prepare for Mental Health Pressures of College

(MS) - This fall, more than two million young men and women across the United States will leave home to begin their college careers. The climates, courses and campuses will be different, but the countless pressures faced by these college freshmen will be the same.

Mental health issues including depression, eating disorders, substance abuse and anxiety, often brought on by the heightened stress of a college environment, have grown increasingly common among college students. As recent news has raised serious concerns about the effects of such issues, especially when left untreated, it is important to take a proactive approach to recognizing and addressing them, says Sheldon Miller, M.D., chief medical officer of Timberline Knolls, a national residential treatment center for eating disorders, substance abuse, self-injury behavior and other emotional disorders.

"Raising awareness of the mental health struggles met by many college students is a crucial step in fighting the associated stigma that often keeps those suffering from seeking help," Miller says. "If students feel comfortable reaching out, issues can be professionally addressed before they become severe, or even dangerous."

According to Miller, the following facts should be taken into account as students enter college this fall:

New freedom, new anxiety. Studies show that change, lack of sleep and stress (all commonplace among college freshmen) can be the greatest triggers of mental health issues. Leaving your parents for an unstructured environment is exciting, but it can also cause high levels of stress and anxiety. Late nights, whether spent studying or socializing, also come at a price. Both academic and social stress can lead to depression, which when left untreated can lead to suicide - the second leading cause of death among college students.

New peers, new pressure. College freshmen are surrounded by new personalities and unfamiliar social settings. The desire to fit in can potentially create a spiral of unhealthy behaviors that can lead to problems like alcohol dependence or eating disorders. Students are urged to seek professional help if they drink everyday, binge drink to get drunk, or if alcohol is interfering with schoolwork or relationships. Also important to note, studies indicate that as many as 19 percent of college-aged American women suffer from bulimia, a dangerous eating disorder that can be detrimental to self-esteem, social relationships, and academic performance.

New fears, new feelings. In a 2006 survey of more than 90,000 college students, 50 percent admitted to feeling depressed, and 93 percent reported feeling overwhelmed. The stress of school assignments and exams, paired with the pressure of social organizations like fraternities and sororities, can quickly become unmanageable. Because mental health issues are often dismissed as "normal" college life, it is important for students, parents and university faculty and staff to learn to recognize the warning signs of more serious troubles. When a student appears to be masking emotional problems with alcohol or drugs, or suffers from extended depression, he or she should be referred to the appropriate mental health offices for treatment. Research shows the most common occurrence of emotional disorders appears among young adults, ages 17 to 21.

New ideas, new hope. Recent studies revealing the biochemical basis of depression and other disorders have helped many students realize that mental health issues do not indicate personal failure, and should not cause shame. On-campus groups promoting mental health awareness are popping up at universities across the country, slowly stomping out the stigma of mental and emotional disorders and helping encourage students to seek help for their problems. A 2007 survey by the Anxiety Disorders Association of America showed 13 percent of all college students now use or have used on-campus mental health services. In fact, one institution reported a 29 percent increase in the use of counseling and psychological services over the last four years, and another reported that 40 percent of first-year students visit the counseling center at least once.

Being aware of and prepared for the mental health issues that often come with the territory for college freshmen can help foster an accepting environment among students, parents and university faculty and staff. By normalizing mental health issues, Miller says students can feel comfortable seeking the help they need, leading to increased success and satisfaction in life, rather than suffering in silence and isolation. For additional information, visit www.timberlineknolls.com.

CAPTION: College students face pressures that can lead to mental health issues.

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How to Reduce Stress in Your Life

Stress is a natural physiological mechanism that drives us to get things done. Without stress, we would float about life aimlessly without any goals in mind. It is stress that makes us get up for work each and every morning and meet our obligations. We know that we have bills to pay, and that they won't get paid without our help. Stress prompts us to take our children to the doctor when they are sick. Stress also helps us avoid collision during a near miss accident while driving.

All in all, stress is good, but it can sometimes take over our lives and do a great deal of harm to our mental and physical well being. Having too much of a workload, taking care of a sick family member, or just trying to keep up with the hectic pace of life can leave us feeling tense, aggravated, and dissatisfied with life. This is when stress becomes unhealthy.

While there is no such thing as a life free from stress, there are ways that you can reduce the amount of stress that you experience on a day-to-day basis. Here are just a few ideas to help you relieve that tension in your neck.

*Exercise
Feelings of tension in the body are mostly due to a build-up of stress throughout the day and the stress chemical adrenaline. By exercising regularly, you can free your body of left over adrenaline and ease tense muscles. You will feel relaxed, energized, and ready to face another day.

*Time For You
Sometimes all that is needed to relieve the tension from a hard, stressful day is to take a few minutes to unwind and do an activity that you enjoy. Too many of us live life like robots without taking any time out for the things that we enjoy. This just zaps the joy out of life and allows stress to build up and take over our bodies.

*Say No
There is only so much that one human can accomplish in a day. Learn how to say no when your workload becomes too heavy. Delegate responsibility to other family members or coworkers.

*Don't Let It Worry You
While it is true that worrying is part and parcel with life, it really doesn't serve much of a purpose. When was the last time that you solved a problem by simply worrying about it? Problems take action, and the sooner that you take action, the less that you will worry. Address problems as they occur, stay calm, and think of solutions rationally.

In addition to these tried and true stress reducers, try to eat as healthy as you can at all times and get plenty of sleep. The fact of the matter is that the healthier you are, the better you will be able to handle life's daily mishaps without getting bent out of shape. This will reduce your stress and give you a sense of well being and contentment.