Understanding Mental Health
It is critical as parents of college students to have an understanding about the mental health of your son or daughter. Many mental illnesses have their onset during late adolescence and early adulthood and there are also many pressures that accompany college life—this combination makes it critical to remain aware of your son or daughter’s mental state and look for signs of mental, emotional or psychological distress. Today, thousands of college students struggle with depression, anxiety, stress and other disorders to varying degrees and need the support of family, friends and health professionals to get the help they need.
Below is a list of various resources that provide extensive information on mental health issues and disorders, as well as advice on how to talk to your son or daughter about any distress or struggles they are experiencing.
Michigan State University’s counseling center website gives advice to parents on how to help their son or daughter who may be struggling with mental health issues. It offers tips for intervention and other important resources.
www.couns.msu.edu/parents/
Half of Us features information on all major mental health struggles that college students face as well as how to help a friend and real-life stories of people who struggle with mental health problems and how they are coping.
www.halfofus.com
Got Anxiety? provides the information you need about anxiety disorders, so you can help yourself or a friend TRIUMPH. Visit the links, read tips and get advice on college life -- how to deal with stress, best ways to study, guides to healthy eating and more!
www.gotanxiety.org
National Mental Health Awareness Campaign dedicated to battling the stigma, shame, and myths surrounding mental disorders that prevent so many people from getting the help they need. Website includes myths, warning signs, facts and other important links.
www.nostigma.org
HealthyMinds is the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) college mental health page that features information on every major mental health issue/disorder as well as current information on national awareness campaigns and efforts.
www.healthyminds.org
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) works to improve the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, alcohol and drug addiction treatment, and mental health services.
www.samhsa.gov
The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) is the country’s oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. The NMHA website provides information on psychological disorders, mental health issues, treatment and other resources.
www.nmha.org
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) works to reduce the burden of mental illness and behavioral disorders through research on mind, brain, and behavior. The NIMH website offers extensive mental health and disorder information as well as the latest in mental health research.
www.nimh.nih.gov
The National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) is the “nation’s voice on mental illness” providing information on various disorders, treatment options, recovery resources and current news in the area of mental illness.
www.nami.org
Mental-Health-Matters.com provides extensive mental health, self help & psychology information and resources.
www.mental-health-matters.com
PsychCentral.com is one of the top 5 mental health and psychology websites, providing reliable and professionally-reviewed resources.
www.psychcentral.com
MentalHealth.com is a top internet resource with descriptions of most mental/psychological disorders and information on treatment options.
www.mentalhealth.com
MentalHelp.net offers resources in self-help, psychology, and mental health.
www.mentalhelp.net