The summer before starting college is a big time—it is natural and healthy for matriculating college students to hold out hope of a fresh start, amongst many other heightened dreams and expectations.
However, a new beginning shouldn’t necessarily apply to mental health issues. Unfortunately, it is very common for students to fight against being purposeful about setting up the support they need or planning how to continue their current successful treatment strategies.
College may exacerbate any mental illness issues. As a parent, the summer before starting college is a wonderful time to be realistic and help your student prepare accordingly.
1. Get all medical paperwork done in a timely manner.
Sign off HIPAA forms if your student agrees, so you can be aware of their treatment if they want that extra support.
2. If possible, don’t reinvent the wheel.
If their current therapy is working, see if their practitioner is willing (or able, legally) to continue the treatment either in person or from a distance, depending on the situation.
3. If their current therapy can’t be continued for whatever reason, help your student set up with a new practitioner who is off-campus.
This can take some time and effort, but it will help prevent a last-minute scramble. Unfortunately, the demand for on-campus counseling is so great that the on-campus counselors very likely may only be able to see most students once or twice per semester, an insufficient amount for true treatment. However, the on-campus counseling office is a good source for names of local practitioners who work well with college students. Make sure your student’s health insurance covers a particular therapist or psychiatrist.
4. Help your student set up pharmacy accounts before starting school.
Some colleges are well-equipped to act as a pharmacy for students, but will need to have the appropriate paperwork. They are usually very clear about this on their health website.
5. Have a discussion about the need to continue medication if it is working.
College is not the time to experiment. If your student wants to taper off their meds, a period of time that is less stressful, such as the summer, is the best time to try, and it should only be attempted with the blessing and monitoring of their doctor.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
When we can encourage our students to value their mental health as much as they value all the other aspects of collegiate life—their achievements, outward success, social life—everything will go better. Helping our kids to take their mental health seriously and keep up with their successful treatment strategy is one of the best things we can do as parents.
