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The Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University’s Sargent College is offering a free, comprehensive educational program for the parents and caregivers of young adults who live with mental health conditions. The Flourishing Families workshop is a 5-week program that includes workshops on parent and caregiver coaching, healthy relationships, and community conversations. Boston-based workshops are held on Tuesdays at 7:00 to 9:00pm at the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at 940 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA. Online workshops are on Thursdays via Zoom from 7:00-9:00 pm EST. To learn more or enroll, contact Courtney Joly-Lowdermilk at cjoly@bu.edu or call (617) 483-3827.
On Tuesday, Diverse Education virtually hosted a panel of experts who proposed ways to meet the mental health needs of minority students. According to Dr. Nahed Barakat, the interim training director and coordinator of diversity and inclusion activities at the University of Denver’s Health and Counseling Center, hiring a team of diverse mental health staff members with cultural competency is critical for students. Barakat says outreach and developing a support plan along with digital modes of support can be helpful to minority students. The panelists recommended that all members of the campus community be trained in mental health issues, especially first responders. Barakat says part of her job is to help students of color with their mental health issues thus avoiding involvement with the police.
US News reports on new study findings that show 1 in 3 first-year college students have anxiety or depression. While the researchers conducted the study with participants in Canada, experts point out that the findings also apply to college students in the United States. The director of young adult mental health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Dr. Rachel Conrad, says loneliness is a significant factor and that students who feel more socially connected to their peers and university life have a greater chance at recovering from anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Other News
The UNCF and The Steve Fund announce a new partnership focusing on addressing historically Black colleges and universities’ (HBCUs) and predominantly Black institutions’ (PBIs) student mental health.
The Ithacan reports on students expressing the need for more mental health services at college. Ithaca college junior Caroline Mannion details the ways the pandemic and juggling academics and social life has caused a strain on her mental health.
The Suffolk Journal interviews students who are experiencing burnout from the pandemic after returning to in-person learning. Students describe feeling emotionally and mentally exhausted from the combination of hybrid restrictions and in-person activities.
The Salt Lake Tribune features an article on why some Utah college students have found it difficult to return to in-person classes along with strategies to help. The article recommends that college students create lists to break apart tasks into smaller steps and practice movement and mindfulness-based activities.
US News reports on new research findings showing that despite vaccines and easing of lockdown, the mental health of college students are still poor after one year into the pandemic. Researchers predicted that between 42% and 56% of the study participants this spring were at risk for clinical depression.
In an op-ed for the Daily Iowan, student Ally Pronina writes about the importance of taking care of mental health during the holidays. “It is possible that the holidays can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and depression in college students who might not have a good relationship with their families and cannot go home for break,” writes Pronina.
Demand for mental health services at Siouxland universities in Iowa increases as final exams and semester deadlines approach. Terri Copple, the counseling director at Briar Cliff University, recommends taking study breaks and short walks.