College is an exciting season of life, but it can also come with a variety of challenges. You may feel stressed by the many changes taking place, overwhelmed as you manage new responsibilities, or anxious to begin building your future.

It’s common for mental health challenges to occur during a student’s college years, or for college to exacerbate already-present mental health struggles. However, if you’re a college student struggling with your mental health, you don’t have to navigate everything on your own.

At Aspire Psychology, we’ve put together a mental health toolkit for college students: a list of resources you can turn to if you’re feeling depressed, anxious, overwhelmed, or just not like yourself. Keep reading to learn more.

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College Mental Health Resources

According to the National Education Association, the majority of college students—over 60%—meet the criteria for at least one mental health problem. Accessibility to mental health resources is more important than ever.

If you are a college student struggling to adjust to college, or you know a college student who’s having a difficult time and are unsure of the best direction to point them in, here are a few resources our therapists suggest.

College Counseling Center

For in-person support, one of the first places college students can try is their college counseling center. Most universities have a counseling team on campus that provides mental health services to students free of charge, and this resource is particularly valuable because students are typically able to get support within a few days, or even hours.

While most college counseling centers typically provide short-term treatment (e.g., maybe 3-6 sessions), it can be the perfect fit for students struggling to adjust to a new semester, navigate relationships, and manage the everyday stresses of college life.

Disability Office

If you received mental health accommodations in high school, you may be able to receive the same accommodations in college through the college disability office. These accommodations can be incredibly helpful for students dealing with mental health challenges, providing students possible support such as additional test time or flexible attendance.

The disability office is also a great place to inquire about additional resources or support groups.

Support Groups

Speaking of support groups, many colleges offer groups to assist students in adjusting to college life. In these groups, you can connect with other students, receive tools and resources to help acclimate to school, and feel a little less alone in a new environment. These may be organized around areas of study, student identity, specific mental health challenges, or other areas that may build community amongst students.

Clubs

Many colleges have clubs that advocate for mental health awareness. While these clubs are not necessarily therapeutic in nature, they allow students to connect with fellow students who care about mental health support. Oftentimes, many of the students in these clubs struggle with—or have struggled with—their mental health, making them a safe space for students looking for connection.

Telehealth Therapy Services

While college may have pulled you away from your hometown, you can still seek psychotherapy and medication management through telehealth services. If you are attending school in the same state whereyou reside and currently have a therapist, your therapist may be able to offer you telehealth therapy. Telehealth is often ideal for college students as it allows them to stay connected to their therapist without having to leave campus, and makes it easy to fit sessions into busy college schedules.

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Managing Your Mental Health in College

In addition to external resources, it’s important to actively work to care for your own mental health while in college. Here are just a few ways that our therapists encourage college students to practice self-care:

Get Enough Sleep

It’s no secret that college students often don’t get enough sleep—in fact, around 70% of college students report getting less than eight hours of sleep per night. But not sleeping has more repercussions than just dozing off in class. Sleep deprivation has been found to contribute to elevated anxiety levels and impaired emotional regulation. Making sleep a priority—even when college life is hectic—is one of the best things you can do for your overall mental health.

Maintain Important Relationships

When you’re thrust into a new environment, it can be easy to let relationships fall by the wayside as you learn to juggle a host of new responsibilities. However, maintaining strong connections is key to caring for your mental health. Whether it’s weekly calls with family, staying in touch with friends from home, or regular gatherings with college friends, staying connected to the people you care about is important for your mental health.

Keep a Journal

Journaling provides a safe space to process your emotions. It doesn’t have to be time-consuming, but journaling on a regular basis can be a grounding rhythm when life feels overwhelming. Bonus points if you take the time to record things that you’re grateful for—active gratitude is a game changer for your mental health.

Make Time for Things You Enjoy

It’s easy to lose yourself in the many responsibilities of college life. However, taking time to pursue things you care about is important, even when you’re busy. Be intentional to carve out time for hobbies like reading, crafting, or sports. These familiar acts are anchors when things feel unfamiliar.

Adjust Your Expectations

College can come with a lot of pressure to make these four years “the best years of your life.” But here’s the thing: college doesn’t have to be anything in particular. Your college experience can be whatever you want it to be. If you want to throw yourself into all of the activities, you’re welcome to. If you want to take things slower and be more selective with how you spend your time, that’s okay, too. And if college isn’t your favorite season of life, that’s totally normal. Life after college can be even more fulfilling. There are so many good things still ahead for you, so don’t let the pressure of college expectations add unnecessary stress.

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Receive Support Through Each Step of Your College Journey With Aspire Psychology

College is a time of so much transition and change, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. But if you’re struggling with your mental health while in college, you don’t have to manage everything on your own.

At Aspire Psychology, we offer telehealth therapeutic and psychiatric services for college students in Oregon and Washington. Our compassionate providers specialize in working with young adults and understand the different challenges you’re walking through. Whether you’re currently experiencing feelings of anxiety, depression, or academic pressure, we’re here to help you find relief through evidence-based care.

You deserve to thrive in your college years—and at Aspire, we want to help you get there. Contact us today to take the first step.

The College Mental Health Toolkit: Mental Health Resources for College Students