Transitioning from college

Multi-modal options for mental health support

By R. Ryan S Patel DO, FAPA OSU-CCS Psychiatrist

College students can experience a broad variety of mental health concerns impacted by a variety of factors.

As a result, it is important for students to keep in mind that there are a variety of solutions and supports available.

While individual counseling, group counseling, psychiatry at our agency are good options, it is important for students to consider all of the resources available to them based on their situation/need, timeliness, and availability.

What if I need immediate assistance or if I am in crisis?

If you are in crisis, go here: https://ccs.osu.edu/about-us-and-our-services/need-immediate-assistance/

  • The link above includes info on Crisis text and call options.

What if I need to talk to someone after hours?

Go here: https://ccs.osu.edu/after-hours-services/

What are some other options for mental health support on campus? 

  • OSU SMART LAB. Uses biofeedback to help you identify sources of stress, problem solve ways to reduce stress, and practice relaxation techniques with our biofeedback software
  • Community Provider Database through OSU Counseling and consultation Service.  You can screen and find providers based problem area, specialty, insurance accepted, distance from campus.
  • Call the number on your insurance card, and they can refer you to a mental health provider in network in your area.
  • OSU Wellness coaching:
    • They aim to help you create the life you want to live, both now and in the future by help you create strategies that leverage your strengths to create and achieve meaningful goals.
  • Nutrition coaching They help you optimize your well-being by creating strategies and addressing barriers to holistic wellness.
  • Relationship education. Strategies on how to practice healthy relationships and prevent sexual violence
  • Alcohol and other drug prevention services. Uses a multi-modal approach to help you address these concerns.

What about self help resources?

What if I am not sure of what I need for mental health support?

  • Consider scheduling a phone screening service through OSU Student Life Counseling and Consultation Service. This phone appointment with our providers can help you figure out services that may be best for your needs, either with us or with one of our partner offices on or off campus.

Disclaimer: This article is intended to be informative only. It is advised that you check with your own physician/mental health provider before implementing any changes. With this article, the author is not rendering medical advice, nor diagnosing, prescribing, or treating any condition, or injury; and therefore claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or injury caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the material presented.

Graduation, Stress, and Summer

 

By R. Ryan S Patel DO, FAPA OSU-CCS Psychiatrist

As the summer nears, many students are anticipating positive experiences such as a break from classes, or fewer classes, study abroad, vacation, time away from academics, work, internship,  job search, etc.

Some students are approaching graduation from college or graduate/professional school.

While these can overall be positive for most students, some students can experience negative emotions during this time.

What are some sources of stress that students can experience as summer approaches?

Some examples include:

  • Stress of graduation, moving, finding a job or internship.
  • Major life transition from being a student to being in the workforce, and related lifestyle changes
  • Increased isolation
  • Change in relationships, friendships, and environment as you move away from college
  • Changes in sleep, eating, and social schedules

What are some negative emotions that students can experience as summer/graduation approaches?

While very little research exists in this area, as college mental health clinicians, this time of year, we will often see students experiencing:

  • Decreased motivation
  • Increase in depression, anxiety
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Increased feelings of stress
  • Changes in appetite, irritability
  • In some cases, worsening of a pre-existing mental health condition.

What are some ways to manage this?

  • Recognize the changes that you are experiencing as a result of this transition.
  • Think about how you were impacted, and what helped you during previous transition points in your life such as graduating from high school, or undergrad and transitioning to the next level, other life transitions, etc.
  • Consider making a plan to address the upcoming transition
  • Get organized, maintain lists
  • Maintain healhty habits, now more than ever. (see links below)
  • Some students might benefit from making a plan to maintain a connection with friends and other experiences they found meaningful during college
  • It may be helpful to think of ways to incorporate what you liked in the past, into your future transition (summer, life after graduation, etc).
  • Others may find it helpful to identify positive aspects of the upcoming changes
  • Enlist the help of others.

Learn more:

Resources to manage stress, and increase resilience to deal with change:

Are there useful stress management resources on campus?

Disclaimer: This article is intended to be informative only. It is advised that you check with your own physician/mental health provider before implementing any changes. With this article, the author is not rendering medical advice, nor diagnosing, prescribing, or treating any condition, or injury; and therefore claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or injury caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the material presented.

The lasting negative impact of bullying

By R. Ryan S Patel DO, FAPA, OSU-CCS Psychiatrist
Many students might be aware of emotional harm that can occur as a result of bullying. People may not know that being bullied as a child or a young person might lead to emotional problems that occur when you are an adult.
This was highlighted in a recent study.

What was studied?

Exposure to bullying and childhood maltreatment was assessed among 5466 children aged 8 to 16 years old.
Then, at 18 years of age, symptoms of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidality were measured.
What did the study show?

This studied showed that adults who were bullied during childhood had an increased risk of anxiety, depression, and self-reported harm in the past year compared to the other groups.
What do the results mean?

While we know from studies that people who are victims of maltreatment during childhood are at an increased risk of various mental health problems during adulthood, this study suggests that people who are victims of bullying during childhood also has serious mental health consequences as the victims become adults.
It is hoped that future research will shed further light on this topic.

Have you experienced bullying in the past? Are you experiencing emotional problems now? Have you considered professional help?
Helpful resources
Counseling and medications can be helpful for a variety of mental health concerns.
ccs.osu.edu (counseling on campus)

stopbullying.gov

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 to speak to trained counselor.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to be informative only. It is advised that you check with your own physician/mental health provider before implementing any changes. With this article, the author is not rendering medical advice, nor diagnosing, prescribing, or treating any condition, or injury; and therefore claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or injury caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the material presented.

References
Adult mental health consequences of peer bullying and maltreatment in childhood: two cohorts in two countries. Suzet Tanya Lereya, William E Copeland, E Jane Costello, Dieter Wolke. www.thelancet.com/psychiatry Published online April 28, 2015 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(15)00165-0