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48 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com JULY AUGUST 2015 Learning Curve Ahead HELPING YOUR COLLEGE-BOUND TEEN MAINTAIN GOOD MENTAL HEALTH by DianaWeaver Contributor Sending your teen off to college is an exciting and nerve-wrack- ing time for parents. We equip our young people with new laptops supplies for a comfortable dorm room snacks to help them survive erratic hours and much more. Yet one aspect we often overlook in preparing for college is teaching our kids how to maintain good mental health. Accord- ing to a national survey the emotional health of incoming fresh- man is at an all-time low and students report feeling increasingly overwhelmed before they enter college. I remember well when I was a college sophomore and had re- cently gone through a traumatic breakup with my longtime boy- friend. Thats when I experienced my first bout of true depression. No one had ever discussed this with me and I was too ashamed to reach out for help. Fortunately good friends finally led me to the counseling center. As a single mom of three sons I have experienced this with each of my boys as they navigated their college years. For differ- ent reasons each one of them hit a bump in the road during their college tenure and having the benefit of my own experience I was able to direct them to the help they needed to get over that hump. While everybody has the blues feels anxious or gets stressed sometimes it is important to realize that when it continues for a long time or interferes with daily activities it may be more se- rious. Depression is very different from the occasional blues and can be debilitating and lead to suicidal thinking. Seven percent of college students say they have seriously considered suicide in the past year and suicide is now the second leading cause of death among college-age young people. Depression can run in families and it most commonly starts between the ages of 15 and 24. Depression has physical and emotional symptoms that cannot be wished away. People with depression cant just pull themselves together. The good news is that depression can be treated and people can recover. goodTO KNOW HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR COLLEGE-BOUND TEENS TO HELP THEM TAKE BETTER CARE OF THEIR MENTAL HEALTH DEVELOP A SUPPORT NETWORK. Joining campus and extracurricular activities such as playing in a college band joining an intramural sports team or writing for the school newspaper are great ways to meet new friends. Developing positive connections with others is an important factor in good mental health. BALANCE YOUR TIME. If you have concerns over your study habits ability to take tests or managing your course- work talk with teachers counselors family or friends for advice and support. Most colleges and universities have resources to help students stay on top of coursework and help improve study habits. There is also often free tutoring available for those who need additional help. STAY ACTIVE. Regular physical activity improves your mood helps relieve depression and increases feelings of well-being. Make use of the fitness facility on campus or en- roll in classes that provide you with physical activity. WATCH WHAT YOU EAT. The busy life of a college student can lead to erratic eating habits and this can affect mood. Be sure to eat regular well balanced meals and stay away from sugary carbonated beverages energy drinks and pro- cessed snacks that can affect blood sugar and mood. GET YOUR ZZZS. Fatigue and sleep deprivation can lead to depression. Avoid stimulants like caffeine and nicotine which can disrupt your sleep patterns. Try to stick to a regu- lar sleep schedule and avoid pulling an all-nighter to study. GET HELP IF YOU NEED IT. Visit the health or counseling center and discuss concerns you may have with a health professional. Most college campuses have mental health counseling available for stu- dents. If treatment is advised follow instructions. Watch out for side effects and at- tend follow-up appoint- ments to assess improve- ment. If you dont feel better in four to six weeks notify the health professional. TAKE YOUR MEDICATION. If your college-bound student takes medication to treat a men- tal health condition make sure to discuss the importance of taking medication regularly and following up with his mental health professional on a regular basis. Managing any med- ical condition is an important part of a young persons development toward independence and learning how to monitor ones mood is key to achieving good mental health.