Panel to Discuss Mental Health During the College Years in Greenwich

A talk titled “Mental Health During the College Years: Recognizing Warning Signs and Getting Help,” is being sponsored by NAMI Southwest CT.

The event is free of charge and will take place from  7:30pm to 9:00pm on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at Greenwich Town Hall, 101 Field Point Road.

According to a 2018 report by the American College Health Association, more than 60% of college students reported feeling “overwhelming anxiety” in the past year. Over 40% stated they felt so depressed that it was difficult to function, and over 50% reported feeling hopeless in the past year.

College is a critical time, since 75% of all mental health conditions begin by the age of 24, and for many teenagers, the move to college will be the first time they’ll be living away from home for an extended period of time.

Mental health problems among college students are on the rise. Symptoms of a mental health condition may surface in college, or an existing condition may worsen. Warning signs include changes in a student’s mood or behavior and excessive use of drugs or alcohol.

Topics to be covered:

  • planning for the transition to college

  • recognizing signs that a child in college is in distress

  • supporting a struggling child from a distance

  • considering a leave from college, and preparing for college re-entry

NAMI Southwest CT has assembled a panel of professionals who will talk about ways to support students’ mental health before, during and after the transition to college.