This is a contributed piece by Monika Dargis, Head of Clinical Operations and Quality at Talkspace, who recently launched Tee, a private place for college students to receive mental health support.
This back-to-school season may be significantly more emotional than others if your teen is finally heading to college. Before cueing the waterworks on move-in day, it’s important to brace your kid for all the new adventures that await them.
They may be itching to start this new journey on their own outside our supervision. And we might feel that any advice we give them will go in one ear and out the other. In reality, though, they’ll take all the support we can provide–especially since their parents are no longer just a quick walk over to the next room.
Heading to college can stir up a lot of different feelings, including uncomfortable ones they might not be ready to admit or face. From tougher classes to challenging roommates, demanding schedules, and greater independence, the sudden, big, and unfamiliar changes can be a lot to process. Here are a few words of wisdom we can share with our teens before they start their new chapter and are officially in charge of their own care.
4 Steps College Kids Should Take to Prioritize Their Mental Health
1. Keep self-care top of mind.
In the beginning, it’s natural for teens to want to immerse themselves in every part of the first-year experience. But between meeting new people, juggling course loads, and balancing dorm-life duties and expenses, students can easily set themselves up to feel overwhelmed. Prioritizing their health and well-being is crucial to preventing burnout and doesn’t have to feel out of reach.
Some practical self-care tips for college students include:
- Taking short breaks between study sessions
- Reserving time each day dedicated to their hobbies
- Practicing grounding exercises when they feel anxious (i.e., box breathing)
- Creating and maintaining a healthy sleep routine
- Squeezing in any sort of movement each day, even if it just means walking around campus.
You may also like to read: 5 Tips To Keep College Kids Safe As They Learn How To Adult For The First Time
2. Stay connected with friends and family.
College provides a fresh start in many ways, including a new network of potential connections. Your teen will likely form at least a few solid friendships, but that doesn’t mean they should abandon their current ones while they’re off at college. In fact, keeping in contact with their friends can help provide a sense of stability in these times of change. Old faces can also offer comfort and give your teen something familiar to look forward to when they come home for the holidays.
Similarly, encourage them to update family members regularly on how they’re getting along at school. They may feel homesick at first, but staying in touch with each other through weekly or even biweekly calls (preferably over video) can help them realize they’re not alone in their new normal.
“The transition to college may be a lonely experience for many students. It is crucial to have a support system of friends and family that will help you adjust to the college environment,” says Talkspace therapist Dr. Olga Molina.
3. Get social IRL.
In this digital age, it’s commonplace for teens to spend hours on social media; in fact, at least four hours a day, according to a Gallup survey. It’s important for your teen to remember that these formative college years are among the best they’ll experience in their lives. While social media can sometimes be necessary for connecting with friends and family, encourage them to make the most of college life away from their phones. Some ideas might include:
- Getting involved with the school’s clubs and organizations
- Hosting movie nights with roommates
- Grabbing lunch or dinner at the dining hall with classmates
- Partaking in activities for students on campus
- Hanging out at the student center in between classes to meet new people
You may also like to read: Is It More Than Just Normal Teen Anxiety? When to Seek Outside Advice
4. Seek help when needed.
A large part of prioritizing self-care is recognizing when we can’t do it all on our own. Let your teen know that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, but strength. Wherever they are in their mental health journey, there are plenty of resources available to support them—both in-person and online. Encourage them to try one or both of the following:
- On-campus resources
- Many universities offer free or low-cost short-term counseling sessions to students. If care isn’t available or additional support is needed, most university counseling centers are well connected to community mental health resources and can offer referrals to longer-term care options, including online therapy platforms. Encourage your teen to see what’s available at their campus counseling center.
- Online therapy and mental health support
- In more remote college towns where mental health providers aren’t as widely accessible, online therapy is a convenient option. There are platforms that offer flexible and secure online therapy, where your teen can meet virtually with a licensed professional at a time and place that works best for them.
Many teens are now turning to AI chatbots for advice in lieu of reaching out to a therapist. But teens should be wary of general models that aren’t suitable for sensitive conversations. Models that are specifically designed for mental health support, like Tee, are available for teens 18 and older and can be safer in-the-moment alternatives.
For more tips on setting your teen up for college success, check out 10 Mental Health Tips for College Students.
Parenting teens and tweens is a tough job, but you’re not alone. These posts might help:
Let’s Stop Asking High School Graduates Where They Are Going to College
Why I’m Not Sad High School Is Ending for My Teenager
How to Stay Close to Your Teen, Even When It’s Hard
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