Taking care of your mental health is always important, especially in college. More students are struggling with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation than ever before.
According to the College Confidence Index, a July 2022 survey by GradGuard and College Pulse, 91% of college students have experienced feelings of anxiety or stress, and 81% have trouble falling or staying asleep. These are just two examples of how mental health challenges are distressingly common among students.
College life is a non-stop moving train; students may start to lag and get overwhelmed at some point. Among the top mental health issues affecting college students are depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. These can be disruptive and hard for students to manage independently, which can negatively affect their performance in school, and their physical health. It can be challenging to understand your students’ struggles when they’re away from home and how you can best support them. Here are some suggestions:
10 Mental Health Tips to Share With Your College Student
- Practice self-care. And it isn’t always what it seems! Taking a walk, reading a book, or even talking with a friend can be forms of self-care. What’s important is that you take a moment for your body and mind to relax.
- Keep a calendar to stay organized. It may seem simple, but prioritizing and organizing everything going on in your life will help decrease stress levels.
- Eat well-rounded meals. A healthy meal is one of the first things to go out the window when we’re busy. Keeping fruits, vegetables, proteins, and carbs in your diet is vital. They fuel our bodies and brains, and missing these can contribute to feeling sluggish, memory issues, and a bad night’s sleep.
- Exercise regularly. It doesn’t have to be an intense workout, however, keeping your body in shape also helps your mind. Regular exercise releases endorphins.
- Lean on family and friends in times of need. Even if it seems like there’s nothing anyone can do to help, sometimes just talking about what’s upsetting can ease our stress and help us work through it. Stay connected to friends and family–they want you to succeed!
- Set boundaries when you need them. Be honest and open about your boundaries, and consistent about when you are and are not available. Healthy boundaries can give you the space to flourish as a student.
- Avoid people or things that make you uncomfortable. In college, you’ll meet many different people, and there’s a good chance you won’t get along with everyone and may be pressured to participate in things you don’t like. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and encourage you in positive ways.
- It’s okay to say no. First and foremost, students are on campus to get an education. With only 24 hours a day, there isn’t enough time to do everything we want. Prioritization and saying no are two skills that can improve stress levels.
- Use mental health services. Many campuses have increased their mental health services in recent years in response to college students’ needs. Though for some it may seem embarrassing to go to therapy, your well-being should be a top priority.
- Consider purchasing tuition insurance before the start of classes. No one wants to think about your student needing to unexpectedly withdraw from school, but it happens more often than you might expect. In fact, more than one in three currently enrolled students considered stopping out within the last six months, according to a 2024 Gallup-Lumina Foundation Study. Most schools don’t provide refunds in the event of a withdrawal for a legitimate reason, even serious mental health conditions, so evaluate if tuition insurance is right for your family. GradGuard is the only national plan that can provide up to 100% reimbursement for tuition, housing, and fees for a withdrawal due to a covered illness, injury, mental health condition, or other covered reason. Tuition insurance can provide peace of mind to your family, removing any potential financial burden a withdrawal may cause. Find a plan that’s right for your family at www.gradguard.com/tuition.
If your college student is experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition, it’s imperative to reach out and offer them your support. There are many ways for them to get the help they need, such as on-campus resources, virtual therapy appointments, and mental health apps.
About GradGuard
GradGuard empowers students and schools to safeguard their investment in education through comprehensive insurance solutions. As the leading provider of tuition and renters insurance, we deliver seamless, integrated offerings that enhance student financial protection. With embedded technology and deep expertise in the higher education sector, we are committed to making insurance an integral part of the college experience, helping families overcome financial losses that may disrupt a student’s educational journey.
Join us in our mission to turn insurance into a fundamental, trusted component of post-secondary education, ensuring schools, students, and their families are protected during their most critical life stages.
Since 2009, GradGuard has protected 1.7 million students at more than 1,900 institutions.
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