Newswise — When students attending colleges and universities begin failing in classes, the culprit may not be the lure of parities and socializing. An increasing number of college students are suffering the effects of depression, addictive disorders and other mental health issues, according to American Psychiatric Association and American Medical Association.
"We see a large number of our patients who have been successful in high school classes and activities and then when they are in college something happens and they may flunk out of classes, their behavior may change or they may suffer from effects of chemical dependency," said psychologist April Stein, director of The Menninger Clinic's Compas Program for young adults. Another common situation Dr. Stein sees among university student-age patients is those who have appeared to function well until young adulthood when they regress as they feel unequipped to navigate this new stage in their life.
Leaving home, living interpedently, coping with issues of adulthood, pursuing an education and making career choices can all be stressful life stages. These issues are difficult for any young adult, but when an individual has a psychiatric illness maintaining healthy and steady progress is complicated at best. Depression, anxiety, drug abuse and acting out may be among the sources of the bottoming out.
These psychiatric disorders are treatable, and a variety of assessment and care options are available in many college and university communities. Students who haven't made progress in outpatient settings or who have been through urgent hospital care may be experiencing more than one psychiatric issue, or dual disorders. That's when the Compas Program often is the next step.
"We believe everyone we treat has the skill and ability to be successful young adults," Dr. Stein said. The Menninger Compas Program is the only inpatient hospital program in the country designed specifically for 18- to 30-year-olds. In treating these young adults from across the country, Dr. Stein and her staff emphasize a comprehensive approach, including the students' ability to form and maintain relationships, which she says is a hallmark of mental health.
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