The mental well-being of students is an essential factor affecting their quality of life, relationships with family and friends, academic success, college satisfaction, and physical health.
Mental health challenges among students can negatively affect these areas of their lives, leaving long-term consequences that may impact their future employment growth and overall health conditions.
According to the Mental Health Foundation, about 50% of mental health problems are developed by age 14. By the age of 24, mental health challenges may develop about 75%. A recent study by the Frontiers suggests that academic stress may contribute to college student’s mental health and well-being.
Mental health challenges in students are a severe problem that can lead to poor performance by affecting their energy and concentration levels, dependability skills, and optimistic behavior.
Mental health problems should be treated at the earliest. For instance, Los Angeles Mental Health Clinic, an expert in treating mental health issues, can help combat significant mental health challenges.
Undoubtedly, many students may experience various mental health challenges while attending college or university. The sooner the mental health challenges are identified, the better for improving them. However, only a small number of them go noticed and treated.
Some significant mental health challenges students face today include depression, anxiety, substance misuse, suicidal ideation, etc. Here are the symptoms to identify the mental health challenges and methods to deal with them.
Depression Disorders
Depression disorder is among the most common mental health challenges many students face. It is a severe mental health disorder that may significantly impact students’ personal and academic lives.
People suffering from depression may feel worthless about themselves. They may also have a loss of interest in activities that were previously considered enjoyable.
Other symptoms of depression include mood swings, irregular sleeping patterns or difficulty in sleeping, changes in appetite, social withdrawal, difficulty concentrating, etc.
Anxiety Disorders
Another common mental health challenge that students face is an anxiety disorder. The pressure of college responsibilities, family, peers, and other components of daily life can easily contribute to panic or tension. However, continuous experiences of anxiety can interfere with everyday life.
Some common symptoms of anxiety disorders include stress, irritation, anger, fear, trouble concentrating, headaches, etc.
Substance Use or Misuse
Frequent use of certain drugs and alcohol can easily lead to addiction. It gives rise to solid cravings and is precisely characterized by psychological and physical dependence.
In short, substance misuse is the psychological and physical dependence on substances.
Emotionally and mentally, it helps the person to cope with certain emotions or situations, and physically it helps the person to function normally.
Addiction to substances like nicotine, alcohol, prescribed drugs, medication, etc., affects the behavior and mental abilities of those consuming them. Genetics, family detachment, peer pressure, relationship trouble, and other mental disorders are some of the contributing factors to substance misuse.
Symptoms of substance use or misuse include intense cravings for the substance, unable to stop consuming the substance, consuming in larger quantities, change in appearance, etc.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or simply ADHD, may be carried into adolescence from childhood. ADHD in students may lead to poor academic performance, substance misuse, social difficulties, etc.
Symptoms of ADHD can include a short attention span, easily forgetting things, being unable to carry out time-consuming tasks or instructions, etc.
Other symptoms of ADHD are constant fidgeting, inability to stay put, interrupting discussions, inability to focus on tasks, etc.
Suicidal Ideation and Intent
Suicidal ideation is the process of contemplating or planning suicide.
Students with mental health conditions like severe depression are more inclined towards suicidal attempts or suicidal ideation than adults. Students experiencing excessive self-doubt, stress, and frustration may consider suicide when these feelings get too powerful.
Common symptoms to identify suicidal ideation or students inclined towards attempting suicide include signs of depression, mood swings, feelings of being trapped, being a burden, feeling humiliated, feeling no reason to live, withdrawing from friends and family, etc.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are common and mostly develop during youth days with a significant risk of increase in adulthood. Eating disorders may develop in adolescence for several reasons, like poor body image, genetics, other mental disorders, etc.
Students with low self-esteem, stress, pressure from friends or family, troubled relationships, etc., are more at risk of developing eating disorders.
Symptoms of eating disorders start with baby steps like skipping meals and using reasons to justify.
Other symptoms include focusing excessively on exercise and healthy eating habits, overeating sweets or meals high in fats, expressing guilt or shame regarding eating habits, etc.
What can be done to help students combat mental health challenges?
Often it has been wrongly assumed that talking about mental health challenges may be intrusive or out of place. However, having meaningful and open-minded conversations about such issues is very crucial.
It starts with being direct and open about the symptoms. It is necessary that students, the particularly vulnerable age group, understand the consequences of mental health challenges.
Students must be encouraged to open up and motivated to seek help from mental health experts. Los Angeles Mental Health Clinic can help to improve mental health conditions and lead better lives.
Also, students may often feel responsible and blamed for their mental health challenges, leading to defensive behaviours. As parents and caregivers, it is essential to be patient with the youth. Instead of feeling blamed or at fault, they must feel understood and supported.
Closing Thoughts
A person’s mental health comprises factors like emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It influences how a person may think, feel and act about something. It also establishes how the person may interact with others, deal with stressful situations or make crucial decisions.
A person’s mental health at each stage of life is different. For instance, an infant’s mental state differs from that of an adolescent, which is again different from that of an adult or a person in old age.
It can be said that students are most prone to develop mental health disorders which may interfere with their academics, personal lives, and future growth. Understanding mental health at each stage of life is essential to leading a happy life.
Author Bio: Dr. Joann Mundin is a board-certified psychiatrist who has been practicing since 2003. She is a diplomate with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and a fellow with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. She is currently associated with Savant Care, a Los Angeles Mental Health Clinic, where she provides assessments and treatment for patients with severe mental illnesses.
