Supporting Mental Health for College Students: Metro Detroit Experts Offer Tips

Going to college is the first big step toward freedom. While exciting, these years are stressful — resulting in high rates of anxiety and depression among college students.

“Close to 60% of all college students at some point in their college career experience significant depression, and what I mean by significant depression is it’s reaching those levels where it’s starting to interfere with functioning, like school, relationships, work, things like that,” says David Schwartz, Ph.D, director of the Oakland University Counseling Center.

For some, these mental health struggles can result in suicidal thoughts and suicidal ideation — even suicide, which is the second leading cause of death among those ages 10-34, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

“It’s a very stressful period of life,” Schwartz says. “It’s one of the most stressful periods of life.”

Why college is stressful

Students are going out into the world for the first time, discovering who they are and trying to figure out how they fit in on their college campuses — all while striving for independence. These factors alone can cause anxiety or depression, and higher rates of mental health issues.

Key Challenges

• Even years past the most difficult period of the pandemic, college students’ mental health appeared to be impacted. A 2022 survey conducted among students in northern Michigan showed: 9% experienced mild mood disorders, 45% experienced moderate mood disorders and nearly 46% experienced severe mood disorders.
• As a fully licensed counselor and the suicide prevention coordinator at Wayne State University, Stephanie Kastely, MA, LPC, saw the impact of college anxiety and depression firsthand, especially during the pandemic. She says students reported that their normal coping strategies weren’t working, “and that’s what happens when an individual experiences a trauma.” Many experts considered the pandemic a mental health crisis for young people. 
• The good news is that more students are seeking help and mental health treatment, according to a study from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. 

Tips for parents: how to support your college student

You know your child best, so Schwartz recommends: “Trust your gut, trust your instincts.”

Signs your child may be struggling

• Withdrawing from social interactions
• Declining grades or lack of motivation
• Changes in sleep patterns or appetite
• Use of negative words like “hopeless” or “useless”

How to start the conversation

• Check in often. Use phrases like:
  • “How have things been going?”
  • “You seem different. What’s up?”
  • Normalize conversations about mental health problems.
• Monitor social media for concerning posts.
• If you’re unsure how to help, consult with a mental health care professional. Schwartz emphasizes, “Call someone like me. I always encourage parents to call us, ask our advice, and consult with us.”

Tips for students: how to cope with anxiety and depression

1. Seek professional help
   • Most universities, including Wayne State and Oakland University, offer free, short-term counseling for students.
   • If in-person counseling isn’t an option, sessions may be available remotely.
2. Talk to trusted people
   • Open up to family or friends you trust about how you’re feeling. 
   • Ask for help finding mental health resources.
3. Practice self-care
   • Self-care doesn’t have to mean indulgence; it’s about restoring wellness.
   • Examples include:
     • Daily exercise to manage stress
     • Staying organized with a planner to keep ahead in classes

This article was originally published in October 2020 and has been updated for format, easier search and updated research.

Content sponsored by the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation. For more articles like this, visit Metro Parent’s A Parent’s Guide to Family Mental Health.