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A U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey of adults taken the last week of June (one of the peak months of the pandemic), found that 25.5% of adults aged 18 to 24 responded that they had seriously considered suicide in the past 30 days. This age group also had the highest levels of anxiety and depression of respondents — 62.9% of those 18 to 24. This is a significant increase in anxiety and depression in this age group since 2019.
In a recent study of college students, 91% reported moderate to high levels of stress, 39% reported moderate to severe anxiety, and 53% reported moderate to severe depression.
There is a perfect storm contributing to increased anxiety, depression, and suicide in college students. First, the Covid-19 pandemic has stretched on seemingly interminably.
For many students, being at home with family gives a sense of security and normalcy. Leaving home during a pandemic to return to campus can cause separation anxiety. This is especially true if students aren't sure what to expect when they return. For other students, another semester (or two) of remote learning from home is the last place they want to be. Continuing another semester at home causes them to dread and worry about keeping up their academic standing. Many students, such as those with ADHD, have considerable difficulty learning from online classes.
Whether college students are returning to campus or taking classes online, stress levels have skyrocketed. If students are on campus, they are concerned about their roommates and others in their complex or residence hall not following Covid-19 prevention guidelines; having a lack of social contact due to possible contagion; lack of clear guidelines from the university; and balancing their workload on top of chronic stress. What can we do to help college students adapt to this new academic year?
Encourage Counseling
Students are already under intense pressure with classes. They've also been under chronic stress from the pandemic. Encourage counseling even before you see outward signs of stress. Depression and anxiety are internalizing disorders. This means that symptoms may not be outwardly obvious to others. Be proactive and encourage counseling as soon as possible. Many therapists (myself included) are only conducting teletherapy sessions for the time being.
Set Firm Boundaries About Covid-19 Precautions
If you are a director of student life, work on getting the university administration on board with a detailed and firm Covid-19 plan. For example, not only require that students wear masks on campus, but also institute penalties if they refuse to wear one. If a student has a roommate that refuses to practice social distancing and doesn't wear a mask, help the student find other living accommodations. You may need to consult an attorney if you are considering breaking a lease.
Check In Often
It's not just at the beginning of the semester that we need to be alert about students' mental health. We need to have regular check-ins with students. How are they doing? Are they experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety? What are they doing to practice good self-care? Are they receiving the accommodations that were approved by the Office of Student Disability Services? How can you best be of help to them?
Keep In Mind That This is Temporary
It may feel like the pandemic is neverending, and we were told the pandemic would be over by now. It may seem like we will be practicing precautions forever. However, there will be a vaccine at some point. It may not be in the time frame we would like, but it is in the pipeline. Remind your college student that even though self-quarantining has been going on for longer than everyone is comfortable with, it will come to an end at some point. You and your college student still have a right to feel angry, disappointed, anxious, and depressed.
Role Model Good Health
Make sure that you are practicing Covid-19 prevention by wearing a mask and keeping at least six feet of distance from others. Students watch you like a hawk to see how you are conducting yourself. Depending on your comfort level, you may want to disclose to your college student that you have attended counseling due to the tremendous amount of changes we have been through. Actions speak louder than words — make sure your behavior backs up what you are recommending to college students.
