Mental Health Concerns During College
Mental health is a major concern for people of all ages, including adolescents and young adults. During these years, our bodies and life circumstances change rapidly as we “grow up,” establish our identities, form new relationships, and strike out on our own in school and with jobs for the first time. Lots of decisions need to be made. All this change can be exciting and present wonderful opportunities for fulfillment, but can also lead to significant pressure and stress. Sometimes the stresses are manageable with the support of friends and family, relaxation techniques, and/or making life style changes, such as getting more sleep or exercise or making other simple changes.
On the other hand, sometimes the pressures can lead to significant clinical depression and/or anxiety disorders or serious eating disorders. Also, adolescence and young adulthood are times when genetic predispositions to inherited mental health illnesses, including depression, anxiety disorders, Bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and schizophrenia, often first manifest themselves.
Primary care providers (physicians, nurse practitioners) at Health Services (HS) are experienced at diagnosing the most common uncomplicated mental health problems, particularly depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, and can prescribe antidepressant and/or anti-anxiety medication, when appropriate. This is often done in conjunction with psychotherapy which can be provided by either the UNH Counseling Center or an off campus psychotherapist. A psychiatrist is available on campus on a very limited basis (2 hours per week at HS) for consultation on diagnostic or medication questions, but visits may only be scheduled by referral from one of the UNH primary care providers. Our physicians and nurse practitioners can refer students to psychiatrists in the area, when appropriate, especially for more complicated problems.
If the concerns do not meet the criteria for diagnosis of one of the more serious anxiety or depression diagnoses, the Office of Health Education and Promotion may be of assistance. The office provides confidential, individualized and short-term counseling/education sessions that focus on skill building and self-care in an effort to effect positive behavior change and help individuals reach their full potential.
Individual counseling/education sessions are available to address the following issues: stress management, sleep, alcohol and other drugs (for self or because of concern for another person’s use), tobacco cessation, nutrition, eating concerns (for self or because of concern for another person who may have an eating concern), chronic illness, sexual health, sexual orientation, gender identity and anger management.
If you feel that you need help with a mental health concern, call one of our triage nurses at (603) 862-2856, and she will help you decide whether you should contact the UNH Counseling Center, see someone in Office of Health Education and Promotion, or whether an appointment with one of our physicians or nurse practitioners is needed and she can either set up the appointment for you or give you information on how to do it yourself.
Additional Mental Health Resources
- Anxiety Disorder
National Institute of Mental Health
Mayo Clinic - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
National Institute of Mental Health
Mayo Clinic
- Bipolar Disorder
National Institute of Mental Health
Mayo Clinic - Borderline Personality Disorder
Natinal Institute of Mental Health
Mayo Clinic - Depression
National Institute of Mental Health
Mayo Clinic - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
National Institute of Mental Health
Mayo Clinic - Panic Disorder
National Institute of Mental Health
Mayo Clinic - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
National Institute of Mental Health
Mayo Clinic - Schizophrenia
Natinal Institute of Mental Health
Mayo Clinic - Social Phobia/Social Anxiety
National Institute of Mental Health
Mayo Clinic - Suicide/Suicide Prevention
UNH Counseling Center
