Worried About Your College Student’s Mental Health? Here’s How to Prepare for the College Transition

Dear Mom,
As a psychologist, I spent years walking alongside college students and their moms during times of true crisis after things had already gone too far. My job was to help them heal from trauma. 

Over and over again, I saw the devastation and heartbreak. I also witnessed the unwavering love and dedication these moms showed in supporting their kids. That experience is part of what led me to the work I do now, as a coach for moms like you who want to be prepared, informed, and supported with a child transitioning to college life.

I’m also a mom who has worked extensively with and for various colleges. I know what goes on behind the scenes.

This blog is intended to give you vital information and a path toward parental support for college students, especially around mental health, so you don’t have to figure it out alone.

I hope it helps you, and I hope it helps your child.

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions about this blog. 

Lisa

Getting ready to send your big kid(s) off to college? You’re probably excited about the many opportunities that await them, but also worried about their health, wellness, and safety. The college transition can be both thrilling and overwhelming for students and parents alike.

Moms are often painted as overly anxious, too worried, or too uptight. You know the old “helicopter mom” story. Sometimes we need to self-reflect and take a step back, but not always. And that anxiety? It’s often a direct result of the depth of your love for your child.

If you are worried about your college kid struggling, the research shows that your concern is warranted. 

The Clay Center for Healthy Young Minds reported that about 33% of college students experience levels of depression that make it difficult for them to function, about 80% feel overwhelmed, and 73% experience some form of mental health crisis during college. So, maybe you aren’t too anxious, and maybe your mom’s radar is right on target. Our kids will likely struggle in college despite the many wonderful things they will experience. 

That’s why knowing how to prepare for college life is more than just packing bags—it’s about emotional and mental readiness for both of you.

Our college kids are struggling – and when asked anonymously, they admit they need our help.

With a bit of proactive communication and the right tools, you can be ready when you get that late-night call or heart-wrenching text. That preparation can help you respond calmly and confidently, instead of feeling helpless.

Understanding that your child is unlikely to reach out for help when struggling is critical. That is what moms usually find out the hard way, when things culminate into a crisis. 

The Mayo Clinic states that around 75% of students who experience mental health concerns do not seek support. This increases their risk of having a mental health crisis. It can also increase their risk for many other things such as dropping out of college, misusing substances, and/or performing poorly academically. In addition, friendships can become strained, scholarships can be jeopardized, and sports and extracurricular activities can suffer.

Why Don’t College Students Reach Out for Help When Transitioning to College Life?

Research shows that barriers include:

• • They feel they can handle it on their own.  
  • Not knowing how to access services and having concerns about logistics.  
  • Concerns about a negative impact on their job or school performance,
  • Worries about negative stereotypes and feeling that if they get help, it will reflect poorly upon them. 
  • They may feel they do not have enough time to fit appointments into their schedule, which may be true. 

This is all scary, but knowledge is power if you use it to plan ahead. 

Preparing Your Child For College – Start With a Conversation

Here are some tips for talking with your college-bound and college students before they struggle – an essential part of preparing your child for college:

• • Let them know that struggles are normal and to be expected.
  • Ask them what they might do if they were having a hard time, and brainstorm with them about what might keep them from seeking help. During the conversation, share the common barriers for most college students.
  • You can also talk with them about different strategies to manage stress and the importance of self-compassion, as you solicit ideas from them about what they think could help them attend to their mental health. Many college campuses offer great self-help resources right on their websites. Your child may be able to use these without even seeing anyone in the university counseling center.

Encourage your child to think of mental health support as a way to build resilience, learn about themselves, and thrive. Therapy is not just for crises!  Mental health services can be used preventatively to help your college student build on their strengths, learn more about who they are, and/or learn coping strategies to help them succeed in school and life. This support can help your college kid feel more connected in relationships, improve their communication, and help them process challenging events. Therapy can help your child cope when they’re struggling, but it can also help them build upon their strengths and grow during the good times! 

BE THE PREPARED MOM!

When your child needs help, it is not the time to look for services. The time to research what is available is now, so you can jump into action to get them what they need. Remember, one of the most significant barriers for students is simply not knowing how to get help.

Being proactive in preparing kids for college means doing the work behind the scenes now, so they’re not left floundering when a challenge arises.

Before starting the research, it is essential to understand the limitations of your involvement in getting help for your college student. Most likely, your child is 18 or older, so some professionals will welcome your inquiry, and others will only speak directly with your child. When it is time to schedule, almost all providers require your child to contact them directly.

It is also crucial to familiarize yourself with the importance of having legal forms that allow you to help your “adult” child in a crisis. You can look at Mama Bear Legal Forms for information, and consider contacting an attorney to advise you on how to proceed. To better understand why having legal authority matters so much in emergencies, visit Baylie’s Wish Foundation.

What to Know About On-Campus Mental Health Services

You can look up information on the school website. You can also (anonymously if you prefer) call the center to ask questions. You want to know: 

✅ Types of Services Offered

• Psychotherapy
• Career Counseling
• Groups
• 1:1
• Crisis Intervention

✅ Costs 

✅ Number of Counseling Sessions Allowed (there is usually a limit)

✅ Counseling Center Location

✅ How to Get Started

✅ Self-Help Resources

✅Confidentiality and Client Rights

What to Know About Off-Campus Mental Health Services

You want to understand: 

✅ Insurance Benefits and Coverage

• Deductible
• Copay
• Session limits
• Benefits for both in-network and out-of-network providers
• Limits to outpatient mental health services, especially if your child is out of state
• What insurance will allow if your child is not in the state where the school is located, but needs to continue services

✅ Costs

✅ Transportation Needs for In-Person Sessions

✅ How to Find Providers

• Most schools have lists of options
• Insurance companies have lists of providers
• You can use a locator such as Psychology Today

✅ Pros and Cons of Online Telehealth Options

• What the state where your child is located allows
• Your child’s accessibility to a safe and confidential space

Before Crisis Strikes in the College Transition

Knowing this information in advance can help you converse with your big kid about transitioning to college life before a crisis hits. They don’t need to know all the specifics unless they want that level of detail, but they can be assured that you have everything ready if they need information. There is nothing pleasant about trying to scour the university website during a difficult conversation or crisis!

You can also “front-load” your child with services by connecting them to a therapist for mental health services or a coach for support before they even arrive on campus. Thanks to online options, that’s easier than ever.

Finally, although no one wants to think about this possibility, it is crucial to be prepared in case of a mental health crisis, particularly where there is a safety risk. Again, preparing your child for college includes emotional and mental support readiness. Familiarize yourself with the services available to your child on and near campus. Know the emergency phone numbers for their area. Look into any national resources that might help, such as the national suicide prevention lifeline, where you can text or call 988 (in the US).

Moms who focus only on the good stuff can unintentionally leave their kids unprepared when the bad stuff happens.

Don’t Wait for a Crisis: Get Prepared Before College Move-In Day

If this blog resonated with you, and you’re looking for more information and practical tips, the COLLEGE UNCOVERED Toolkit was created for moms like you. Moms who want to be proactive, not panicked. Inside, you’ll find insights, planning tools, and behind-the-scenes information schools don’t share, all designed to help you prepare to support your child‘s health, safety, and mental wellness through the college years.

It’s not about hovering. It’s about being ready – calm, confident, and informed – when your child needs you most. Click here to explore the Toolkit and get prepared today.