Mental Health for College Students powerpoint

lonestar's guide to mental health for college students 2018

1. Mental Health for College Students

2. Introduction: Beginning your college career in pursuit of your dreams is a very exciting time. There are many adjustments to make as you learn to navigate this new chapter in your life. These adjustments can be accompanied by new stressors that can affect you as a student. For a successful college experience, it is essential to take your mental health seriously.

3. Overview of Topics: What is mental health? College student mental health statistics. Common mental health issues facing college students. Causes of stress in college students. Contributors to poor academic performance. Mental health and academic impact. Key to academic success.

4. What is Mental Health? “Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.” - MentalHealth.Gov

5. College Student Mental Health Statistics Mental illness is very common among students today. According to mental health research conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI ): One in four students have a diagnosable illness 40% do not seek help 80% feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities 50% have become so anxious that they struggled in school

6. Common Mental Health Issues Facing College Students Mental health issues can take many forms. These conditions are things that you see every day. People suffer a variety of levels of illness and various times in their lives. Some of the most common mental health issues facing colleges students: Depression Stress Anxiety Suicide Bipolar disorder Eating disorders Addiction Self-harm Struggles with identity

7. Causes of Stress in College Students Not enough money Academic achievement Unrealistic expectations Time urgency Social pressures Change in eating and sleeping habits Stress prone diet (i.e. coffee, cola, chocolate) Too much studying and not enough physical activity Extra-curricular activities A break-up with a boy or girlfriend Changing to a new environment Changes in responsibilities A part-time/full-time job A bad roommate or not enough privacy Parental expectations Loneliness

8. Contributors to Poor Academic Performance The National College Health Assessment (NCHA) II Top 10 Impediments to Academic Performance According to Students 2008-Present Stress- 27.3% Sleep Difficulties- 19.6% Anxiety- 18.4% Cold/Sore Throat- 17.3% Work- 13.3% Depression- 11.3 % Internet/ Games- 11.1 % Concern for Family or Friend- 11.0 % Extracurricular Activities- 10.6 % Relationship Difficulty- 10.5%

9. Young adults (without adequate treatment) experiencing a mental health condition are more likely to receive lower GPA’s, drop out of college, or be unemployed. (NAMI) Stigma remains the number one barrier to students seeking help. (NAMI) According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 20 percent of students may have undiagnosed mental health problems that cause difficulty with academic work Research also shows that academic achievement can be improved through early detection of mental health problems, timely referrals, and access to appropriate services Mental Health and Academic Impact http:// www.lonestar.edu/mental-health

10. Key to Academic Success According to the National First-Year College Experience Survey January 2016 Emotional preparedness is a major factor in student success during the first year of college. Emotional preparedness includes: The ability to take care of oneself. The ability to adapt to new environments. The ability to control negative emotions or behavior. The ability to build positive relationships. The ability to seek assistance and utilize available resources. Lone Star College has resources on campus as well as connections with community resources to help. If you are struggling, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You are not alone . http://www.lonestar.edu/counseling-services.htm