‘Affordable Colleges Online’ created this guide to inform college students (and their friends and families) on the various on-campus and online resources they can use should a mental health concern arise:

affordablecollegesonline.org/college-student-mental-health/

With summer coming to a close, many young adults will be transitioning to college life for the first time. For most incoming students, the transition can be challenging. For students with mental health conditions, getting familiar with the mental health services and supports that their college or university offers can help with this transition.

The following services/supports are available at most colleges and universities and will vary in the type of services offered at each campus.

Academic Advising Centers – If you have non-emergency questions or concerns regarding your condition and would like to know who to talk with, your academic advisor may be a good person to contact first. They are aware of the different programs that may be offered on campus and can refer you to the appropriate resources and services.

Counseling Centers / Health Centers – Many campuses offer individual counseling, group counseling, and crisis services. The types of services offered will vary based upon available programs and staff capabilities. Depending on the type and severity of the condition, a referral to an outside agency may be necessary.

Disability Services – Provide reasonable accommodations for students that have a documented disability due to their mental health condition. These accommodations may include adjustments to programs, coursework, and policies.

Student Groups – These groups are primarily directed by students to create awareness for the student body and develop partnerships with key staff/programs. One such national program is “Active Minds.” This organization develops and supports student-run chapters on colleges and university campuses (including several chapters at Minnesota colleges and universities) that promote a dialogue around issues of mental health.

General Information on Mental Health – Most campuses will have a variety of information about mental health. Health services, counseling centers, and other areas in the college will often have information and resources on mental heath conditions (depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, etc.). Also, many colleges host health and wellness fairs and other events that highlight mental health issues.

Other resources:

ULifeline is an anonymous, confidential, online resource center, where college students can be comfortable searching for the information they need and want regarding emotional health.
http://www.ulifeline.org

Mental Health America provides some helpful information on mental health for returning students and for students that are attending for the first time.
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/back-campus

(Editor’s note: Republished article with updated information)

It is estimated that over 21 million people will be attending some sort of higher education this coming school year. For those that are just entering college, the change can be daunting. This transitional period can be stressful and challenging. Knowing what type of supports that are available for mental health is important.

The following services/supports are available at most colleges and universities and will vary in the type of services offered at each campus.

Academic Advising Centers – If you have non-emergency questions or concerns regarding your condition and would like to know who to talk with, your academic advisor may be a good person to contact first. They are aware of the different programs that may be offered on campus and can refer you to the appropriate resources and services.

Counseling Centers / Health Centers – Many campuses offer individual counseling, group counseling, and crisis services. The types of services offered will vary based upon available programs and staff capabilities. Depending on the type and severity of the condition, a referral to an outside agency may be necessary.

Disability Services – Provide reasonable accommodations for students that have a documented disability due to their mental health condition. These accommodations may include adjustments to programs, coursework, and policies.

Student Groups – These groups are primarily directed by students to create awareness for the student body and develop partnerships with key staff/programs. One such national program is “Active Minds.” This organization develops and supports student-run chapters on colleges and university campuses (including several chapters at Minnesota colleges and universities) that promote a dialogue around issues of mental health.

General Information on Mental Health – Most campuses will have a variety of information about mental health. Health services, counseling centers, and other areas in the college will often have information and resources on mental heath conditions (depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, etc.). Also, many colleges host health and wellness fairs and other events that highlight mental health issues.

Other resources:

ULifeline is an anonymous, confidential, online resource center, where college students can be comfortable searching for the information they need and want regarding emotional health.
http://www.ulifeline.org

What are a public or private college-university’s responsibilities to students with disabilities? From the ADA National Network website.
http://adata.org/faq/college-responsibilities-students

In the coming weeks, college students will be returning home for the holidays. For many, this break provides a time to catch up and relax with old friends and spend some quality time with family; yet for some, deep sadness and emptiness prevents them.

A recent national study conducted by the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA) reported that 31 percent of college students reported feeling “so depressed that it was difficult to function” at some time in the past year. In 2009, 8 percent of 18-25 year olds had a major depressive episode, but less than half received treatment according to a national survey.

Everyone feels sad or down from one time to another, but for individuals affected by depression, the symptoms are serious and long lasting. A person with depression may feel: sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, guilty, worthless, helpless, irritable, and/or restless. They may also experience one or more of the following:

• Loss of interest in activities
• Lack of energy
• Problems concentrating, remembering information, or making decisions
• Problems falling sleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much
• Loss of appetite or eating too much
• Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
• Aches, pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not go away

Depression is common and for most people, depression can be treated successfully. If you feel that you may have depression, try to be seen by a health professional as soon as possible. If you are a friend or relative encourage your loved one to seek help. It may be necessary to make an appointment and to go with them. If you have no insurance, having trouble finding a health professional, or need additional resources accessing treatment, please contact MHAM at 651-493-6634 or 800-862-1799 to talk with an advocate.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, get help quickly.
• Call your doctor.
• Call 911 for emergency services or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
• Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

For more information and resources on depression, visit the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) website or click on the selected NIMH publications below:

Depression
Depression in Women
Men and Depression
Depression and College Students: Answers to college students’ frequently asked questions about depression

Although the health care bill has recently passed, many of the new provisions will not take effect for some time.  For recent college graduates, staying on their parents’ coverage may be a good option since many insurance companies have already expanded their coverage to the children of dependents until they are 26.  As of last fall, health plans must offer this.  However, this might not be an option for everyone.

One important thing during this time of transition is to be consistent with a medication plan. In order to do so, it is a good idea to talk to your doctors before your coverage changes in order to develop strategies so that you guarantee continued coverage of your medication.  This will insure that you stay healthy both physically and mentally.  Getting a prescription for a 90 day supply is one potential option.

If you plan to buy your own health insurance, learning about the different options and plans is crucial.  First, it is a good idea to figure out how long you may be under or uninsured.  This would help you to decide if you should look at short-term health insurance plans or more long term plans.  Healthcare.gov has information on eligibility for public and private health insurance plans.  EHealthInsurance.com is a for-profit website, but can offer a useful comparison of different private plans.

Many insurance companies that provide short term insurance, offer plans where you can buy insurance a month at a time, usually for up to 6-12 months.  However, it is important to understand that short-term plans only provide coverage in the event of an emergency or a catastrophic event.  Many short-term plans don’t cover regular check-ups, pre-existing conditions, prescription medications, or other preventative care needs.

When considering a health insurance plan, learning about the limits and constraints of high deductibles vs. low deductibles, as well as the premiums is vital.  When considering an insurance plan, the annual deductible is the amount of money you have to pay out of pocket before your health insurance kicks in.  Normally, the higher the deductive, the lower the premium, or monthly payment.

Along with the security of health insurance, there are also several clinics that offer sliding fees. Depending on your income and other expenses, certain clinics can adjust the price of their services and other health care needs.  You can find more resources on our website or by calling one of our individual advocates.

Though graduation is accompanied by celebration and excitement, there are also lots of things to start thinking about.  It is especially important for people with mental illnesses to plan ahead when thinking about health insurance.  This summer in particular may leave many people not only jobless but also without the medical coverage they need.

Speaking with health care professionals and advocates can help.  They possess the tools and resources that can help in alleviating possible long-term stress or more serious illnesses.  Taking the time to learn about your options and coming up with a strategy now will certainly help you avoid the pain and anxiety of being in need of medical care later, and not having the coverage to afford it.

This post comes from volunteer blogger Margo Tell.

Since mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the United States, it is vitally important that people of all ages be aware of the signs, symptoms, and proper treatment options for mental disease.  As explained by the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14, and three quarters have begun by age 24. In Minnesota alone, approximately 56,000 children suffer from some mental disorder.  These statistics support the proposition that mental illness is, unfortunately, a major problem for the youth of our country and for the state of Minnesota.

Mental illness is uncovered in many young people at the point in their lives when they are searching for independence from others.  Because of this pursuit for independence it makes it hard for adolescents and young adults to seek help, and it makes it difficult for their friends and family to know if their irregular behavior is something serious, or perhaps just a passing phase.

It is particularly unfortunate that many lifelong afflictions go undiagnosed because they first manifest themselves during adolescence when so many changes in personality can mask underlying pathology.  For example, the onset of bipolar disorder usually occurs during the late teen years or early adult years. Schizophrenia, although rare in children under 12, begins to increase dramatically in frequency in adolescence, with an average age of onset between 20 and 25.

Though there are effective treatments for youth suffering from a mental disorder, all to often there are long delays between the onset of symptoms and the beginning of treatment.

As outlined by the National Institute of Health, there are several signs seen in teenagers and adolescents that may suggest referral to a medical or mental health professional.  Some of these signs are listed below:

• Feelings of anger or worry
• Feeling grief for a long time after a loss or death
• Thinking your mind is controlled or out of control
• Using alcohol or drugs
• Exercising, dieting and/or binge eating obsessively
• Hurting others or destroying property
• Participating in reckless activity that may harm you or others

Part of the goal of the Mental Health Association of Minnesota as well as public health systems and services is to provide people with the adequate resources and information needed to maintain a positive mental health throughout their lifespan.  Several mental health promotion projects promote help-seeking behavior and also help to reduce the current stigma associated with mental illness.

Most importantly, learning strategies for self-care can help people suffering from mental illness overcome their disease on a day-to-day basis.  Setting short term goals, staying in touch with friends, and seeking out resources in schools, faith communities, support groups and health centers can help provide people with the tools they need to work towards wellness.

This post comes from volunteer blogger Margo Tell.

With spring’s arrival the gardeners come out of hibernation, the birds return, the leaves unfold…and the college acceptance letters arrive.  As students across Minnesota discover where they’ll be going this fall, it is a great time to begin planning for the transition to college.

The first year of college can be challenging.  Not only do new students have intense academic pressure to cope with, but they are adjusting to a new location, new people, and separation from family.  Adapting to these changes is difficult for most people, but for a person with a mental illness, it can be even more complicated.  On top of everything else, they have to arrange for academic accommodations, continued treatment, and sufficient emotional support.  For students facing college with the added challenge of a mental illness, planning ahead can save a lot of stress down the road.

Many students with mental illnesses aren’t aware they have the right under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to request accommodations from public and non-religiously affiliated private colleges and universities.  An accommodation is an adjustment in how things are done that allows a student with a disability equal access to academic programs.  Each college may have it’s own standard for what is considered reasonable.  Generally, an accommodation can’t change the nature of the program or give select students an unfair advantage.

To find out if an accommodation would be useful to you, take a moment to think about your experience as a student so far.  What have you struggled with? What types of support helped? Did the support come from outside resources (family, friends, therapist) or from within the school (teachers, students, tutors)?  What helped you be successful?

There are many types of accommodations commonly requested by students.  Some find it helpful to record lectures, others request extra time for exams or a modified course schedule.  Some accommodations are personal, and can be made independent of the college (taking evening courses, adjusting your medication regime, getting a private tutor).

Before you request an accommodation, take a moment to consider your need for privacy.  What information are you comfortable sharing with professors, administrators, or your fellow students? Be aware your college may require you provide medical documentation before they provide an accommodation.  The disability support services office at your college should be able to assist you in making an accommodations request.

In some cases, you may need to leave college for an extended period of time for your mental health.  Take time to review the medical leave policy at your college.  If you take medical leave, they should allow you to return to college without a penalty or disciplinary actions.

It’s important to take a look at your insurance coverage before you attend college.  Will you be covered by your parent’s plan? Will your plan cover out-of-state providers?  Can you get prescriptions filled at the pharmacies in your new town?  If you will not be covered by health insurance, does your college offer free or low-cost mental health services to students?  If not, will you qualify for any state health insurance plans?

Whether you are covered or not, emotional support can be extremely valuable during transitions.  Before you go, check in with your friends.  What’s the best way to stay in touch?  Even one email a week can make a difference.

A little advanced planning can make a big life change a lot less stressful.  If you need help planning your transition, contact an advocate from MHAM at 612-331-6840.  Advocates are available Monday-Friday, 9-4:30.

You can find more information about accommodations and attending college with a disability at: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER) , and the Association of Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD).