The Well of PBC / April 2022 Issue

FEATURE STORY

College Culture

Inside the Mental Health Crisis

BY : ROBIN BRADLEY HANSEL AND MELANIE OTERO

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FEATURE STORY

“ If we seize this moment, step up for

our children and their families in their moment of need, and lead with inclusion, kindness, and respect, we can lay the foundation for a healthier, more resilient, and more fulfilled nation.

”

~ U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy

College students are no strangers

to stress. Many balance the emotional challenges of living away from home for the first time with the pressure of making good grades. Others must work and juggle family demands while simultaneously trying to study.

The onset of COVID-19 in the spring of 2020 forced many college students to leave their on-campus residence halls and transition to online learning. For those whose mental health was already fragile, isolation from friends and lack of routine took a toll.

MORE THAN FRESHMAN JITTERS

In the fall of 2021, the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, “Protecting Youth Mental Health,” revealed that even before the pandemic, an alarming number of young people struggled with feelings of helplessness, depression, and thoughts of suicide — and rates have increased over the past decade. From 2009 to 2019, the share of high school students who

reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness increased by 40%, to more than 1 in 3 students. Suicidal behaviors among high school students showed a 44% increase. What’s more, as students searched for emotional support and connection, the length of time teenagers spent in front of screens for activities unrelated to school more than doubled, from 3.8 to 7.7 hours per day according to the advisory. In 2020, 81% of 14- to 22-year-olds said they used social media either “daily” or “almost constantly,” which is also problematic for youth as some research has linked social media use and mental health challenges.

Mary Claire Mucenic, Ph.D., director of Behavioral and Mental Health for the School District of Palm Beach County (SDPBC) and a nationally certified and licensed school psychologist has heard youth’s apprehensions. She says many

college-bound high school students are voicing specific concerns to their guidance counselors regarding the pandemic. “High school seniors are expressing anxiety and worry related to their first year in college, particularly the astronomical cost of post-secondary education. They are also concerned that they may not be academically ready for their first year in college if they had missed instructional time,” says Dr. Mucenic.

RESPONDING AS EDUCATORS

The U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is calling on all of society to change how we view and prioritize mental health to help youth navigate the road ahead. “If we seize this moment, step up for our children and their families in their

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FEATURE STORY

moment of need, and lead with inclusion, kindness, and respect, we can lay the foundation for a healthier, more resilient, and more fulfilled nation,” he wrote.

Palm Beach County college educators are heeding the call, ready to help students get the help they need. Naelys Luna, Ph.D., is the Dean of the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton, Florida. Heather Thompson, Ph.D., is the Director of the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work within the college. Both FAU leaders understand mental health from a first-hand perspective. Dr. Luna holds a master’s in social work, and Dr. Thompson is a licensed clinical social worker. They are especially aware of effects on mental health among various student populations.

“Problems that typical college students face may be exacerbated ten-fold for first-generation students, minority students, and students who are LGBTQ. Our immigrant students, low-income students, and students without adequate health insurance also face additional risks to their mental health,” says Dr. Luna.

In addition to increased anxiety, depression, and substance use rates because of the COVID-19 pandemic, college students studying for caring professions may feel hopeless and helpless in the face of the disruption in their education and work lives. “We’ve witnessed an increase in mental health struggles in the past two years. Our social work students are on the front lines of care -- working in clinical settings, treatment centers, and eldercare settings,” says Dr. Thompson.

FINDING A BALANCE

Dr. Mucenic says adults in students’ lives and the media are influences. More positive messages and perspectives help students feel more hopeful and resilient during these challenging times versus the effects on those who hear more negative messaging.

And while college graduation rates have held steady during the pandemic, Dr. Luna says FAU students’ requests to transition from full to part-time have increased. She notes there are changes in what students now need to continue their professional careers. Extra support from academic advisors, instructor flexibility, laptop lending, and more online class options can help.

“We’ve all had to shift as we adjust. We encourage students to talk directly to their instructors and ask for assistance such as flexible due dates or the opportunity to do an in-person presentation via Zoom if they are feeling extra pressure,” says Dr. Thompson.

Daily structure is also helpful. FAU students are encouraged to get themselves into a routine. Waking at the same time each day, eating breakfast, and then moving to a designated area for study, even if classes online help create systems for success.

LEARNING HOW TO HELP

Parents can do several things to support their teen’s mental wellness as they prepare for the college transition. At the top of the list is keeping communication lines open.

“Listen to your child’s apprehensions and concerns with an open mind and without judgment. Try not to compare your post-secondary or college experience to what they may be going through, as this group of teenagers have unique experiences and challenges. It is always better to ask questions to better understand their perspective than assume you know how they feel,” says Dr. Mucenic.

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FEATURE STORY

“

We’ve all had to shift as we adjust. We encourage students to talk directly to their instructors and ask for assistance such as flexible due dates or the opportunity to do an in-person presentation via Zoom if they are feeling extra pressure

”

The school district offers programs and workshops to graduating seniors to help prepare them emotionally for college. Examples included tools for healthy coping skills for teens, understanding and practicing self-regulation, stress management, and how to access resources if they or someone they know is having a mental health challenge.

LOOKING FORWARD

Ongoing support and consistency are keys for helping college students succeed, says Dr. Luna. Students can take an active role by recognizing stress triggers and seeking counseling as soon as possible. Doing so can result in healthy, more positive outcomes.

The Robin Rubin Center for Happiness and Enhancement at FAU offers programs to enrich and nurture students, faculty, staff, and community members’ physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Dr. Thompson says workshops are available on several topics, including nutrition, meditation, financial management, and more.

Dr. Mucenic reminds concerned parents that children are very resilient. She notes there are many positive traits and skills graduating seniors who have navigated the last few years of the pandemic are demonstrating.

“This generation of teens has a willingness to be involved in social justice causes and service to others. They have compassion for their peers, especially those who have experienced social isolation and particular hardships from the pandemic. They tend to seek first to understand someone rather than judge,” says Dr. Mucenic.

It’s a willingness that U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy would be encouraged to see as youth themselves lay the foundation for a healthier, more resilient, and more fulfilled nation.

THE US SURGEON GENERAL ADVISORY

Read the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, “Protecting Youth Mental Health,” which calls for a whole-of-society effort to mitigate the mental health impacts of the pandemic, to address longstanding challenges, and to prevent future mental health challenges.

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