Teens are more stressed and anxious than in the past, yet their parents will send many off to college with little thought about the mental health issues they might face while there, according to a new WebMD/Medscape survey in collaboration with JED.
The survey, “Preparing for College: The Mental Health Gap,” includes more than 500 health care professionals, along with 700 parents and guardians of high school students planning to attend college or other post-secondary school, and of students already in their first year.
Among health care professionals surveyed, a strong majority said they had seen more mental health issues among teens in the past 5 years:
Yet only 17% of parents considered access to on-campus counseling and mental health services when rating schools for their teenager. Even among parents of teens with anxiety, stress, or a mood disorder, only 28% said they had considered mental health services while choosing a school.
When it comes to talking to their children about mental health issues, about half of parents -- 52% -- mentioned anxiety and 43% discussed depression. The percentage is higher in parents whose teen had been diagnosed with a mental health disorder: 71% of parents discussed possible anxiety, and 64% talked about depression.
"If your child is already in therapy, don't assume it's going to go away once they start school. Assume the opposite," says Cora Collette Breuner, MD, a professor of pediatrics and adolescent medicine at Seattle Children's Hospital and the University of Washington.
Parents of teens without a diagnosed mental health condition
started these discussions at a lower percentage: 31% talked about
depression and 42% about anxiety.
This survey stresses the need for all parents -- not just those whose kids have problems -- to discuss mental health concerns, experts say.
"It's going to touch your family's life, and certainly your child's life in one way or another," says Stephanie Pinder-Amaker, PhD, director of the College Mental Health Program at McLean Hospital. "It does so much to decrease stigma and fear and anxiety just to talk about these issues."
Whatever the cause, it's critical for parents and doctors to focus on kids' emotional well-being years before college. About 75% of all mental health conditions start by age 24. College falls right in the middle of this vulnerable time.
The survey, “Preparing for College: The Mental Health Gap,” includes more than 500 health care professionals, along with 700 parents and guardians of high school students planning to attend college or other post-secondary school, and of students already in their first year.
Among health care professionals surveyed, a strong majority said they had seen more mental health issues among teens in the past 5 years:
- 86% said the teens have had more anxiety and stress.
- 81% saw more anxiety disorders.
- 70% reported seeing more mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder.
Yet only 17% of parents considered access to on-campus counseling and mental health services when rating schools for their teenager. Even among parents of teens with anxiety, stress, or a mood disorder, only 28% said they had considered mental health services while choosing a school.
When it comes to talking to their children about mental health issues, about half of parents -- 52% -- mentioned anxiety and 43% discussed depression. The percentage is higher in parents whose teen had been diagnosed with a mental health disorder: 71% of parents discussed possible anxiety, and 64% talked about depression.
"If your child is already in therapy, don't assume it's going to go away once they start school. Assume the opposite," says Cora Collette Breuner, MD, a professor of pediatrics and adolescent medicine at Seattle Children's Hospital and the University of Washington.
This survey stresses the need for all parents -- not just those whose kids have problems -- to discuss mental health concerns, experts say.
"It's going to touch your family's life, and certainly your child's life in one way or another," says Stephanie Pinder-Amaker, PhD, director of the College Mental Health Program at McLean Hospital. "It does so much to decrease stigma and fear and anxiety just to talk about these issues."
A Growing Problem
Several surveys show there are more mental health problems among teens. Experts interviewed said it isn’t clear whether these numbers reflect a surge in mental health problems or just more openness by young people to talk about them.Whatever the cause, it's critical for parents and doctors to focus on kids' emotional well-being years before college. About 75% of all mental health conditions start by age 24. College falls right in the middle of this vulnerable time.
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