Going off to college is exciting for many students. As an 18-year-old, the idea of leaving your parents’ house and rules seems amazing. College presents several newfound freedoms including living on your own, meeting new people and endless first-time experiences. But this freedom also has several hidden, negative aspects. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 85 percent of college students reported feeling overwhelmed by their responsibilities with 1 in 4 having a diagnosable mental illness. Furthermore, the Center for Collegiate Mental Health found anxiety and depression to be the top two mental illnesses among college students.

Generation Z college students are experiencing the highest level of stress in history. Source: Skokie Public Library

Contributing Factors 

The most common factors that lead to college students’ mental health problems are the transition of moving away from home, academic performance, money and life after graduation. 

While the idea of complete freedom and a new start may seem appealing, the transition of it is intense. For many students, their freshman year consists of moving to a new town or city where they may not know anybody in addition to learning how to be independent. While navigating through this, freshmen are also dealing with peer pressure and self-image conflicts.

“My first semester, I called my mom everyday with any minor inconvenience. Everything was just so new and foreign, and the swiftness of the transition kind of left me in a state of shock,” college sophomore Amber Palmer says.

The academic demands of college are another stressful factor. In an effort to keep up with the new workload, students often stay up extremely late to do homework or study. Some even take pills to stay awake and complete their work. Students go to these extreme measures because the stakes are high. Grades determine whether or not you will be accepted into your respective program.

In addition, they are also considered when applying for scholarships which most students use to help pay for their tuition, living expenses and more. Ohio State University conducted a national survey and found that nearly 60 percent of college students said they worry about having enough money to pay for school while 50 percent are concerned about paying their monthly expenses.

After a couple of years in college, although many adjust to being independent, a new problem arises: What are you going to do after graduation? The idea of not finding a job or getting one where you do not need a degree is a reality for the majority of college graduates, 53 percent to be exact.

Signs to look for

One of the first steps to solving this mental health crisis is being able to recognize the signs whether you are experiencing them yourself or seeing them in someone else. Many college students show the symptoms of anxiety or depression. One of the main signs to look for is an increasing lack of self-care. This can take many forms including not showering, ditching your skincare routine or rarely cleaning your room.

“Last semester, I would go four and five days without showering. I didn’t think it was much of a big deal until I went to my doctor, and she told me it was a symptom for depression,” senior Donovan Reynolds says. “It all made sense then.”

Another common sign is an increase in isolation. As the semester goes on, you start to socialize less and lay in bed more. Fun outings like going out to eat with your friends or going to your school’s football game now seem dreadful.

“Students blame their lack of wanting to go out on being tired or needing to catch up on schoolwork. But what starts out as a valid reason turns into a steady excuse. Naturally, the more time you spend lying in bed, the less you’re going to want to do,” Psychology Professor Farrah Barton says.

Another sign is an abnormal fluctuation in weight. Some recognize this as the “freshman fifteen” while others experience weight loss. Stress brings out different reactions in everyone. Some people cope by eating, and others do not think about food if they are stressed.

Lack of interest is the last common symptom. This takes many forms among not attending class and calling in sick to work frequently. It often leads to disregarding your responsibilities. One college student said she once went two weeks without going to any of her classes. She knew it would affect her attendance and cause her to be behind, but she felt numb to everything.

What can be done?

There are things everyone can do to promote students’ well-being. Professors can designate certain days to specifically focus on the mental health of their students. This could include practicing stress-relief mechanisms in class or discussing the services the college offers. Many students are unaware of the free counseling sessions, studying workshops and therapy groups available.

For friends and family, actions simple as listening and reaching out helps. Many students feel they are struggling alone and cannot talk to anyone but having open communication and someone to vent to helps. If you think your loved one needs help, push them to get it.

As a college student, there are several simple ways to help yourself when you are feeling down. Professor Barton suggests cleaning your room. It may seem small, but she says the way your surroundings look is a direct reflection of how you feel internally. Another tip she gave is forcing yourself to hang out with friends more often. Once you are out, you will be glad you went. Also, another solution is time management. Managing your time effectively will allow for a more organized life and less stress. Things like buying a planner, not procrastinating, and planning ahead can help drastically. If you struggle with these things, many colleges offer workshops to help you develop the skills.

College is supposed to be one of the most enjoyable times in life. Whether they are good or bad moments, no one should feel like they are going through it alone.

Nia Quinn