For students, the transition to college marks the beginning of their transition to adulthood, and with that a host of new responsibilities and experiences that affect health and wellness, according to Silvio Weisner, director of Mental Health Services at the George Washington University Colonial Health Center.
It is also the start of a transition for parents who no longer have daily interaction with their student, he said.
“Becoming an adult is not an event, it’s a process and students and parents struggle with the adjustment,” Dr. Weisner said. “The goal for parents is to support their student in gaining the skills he or she needs to independently manage conflict and crisis.”
Dr. Weisner spoke to GW Today about recommendations for parents to support student wellness.
Create a communication plan
Dr. Weisner advises parents to establish expectations for communication before the academic year begins. The agreement should include guidelines for frequency and method of communication. A clear plan can help eliminate worries about how a student is faring in a university environment away from home and encourage students to be independent but rooted in familiar relationships, he said.
“Parents and students should know how often they are going to contact one another and who will initiate contact,” Dr. Weisner said “Every relationship is different, so they should find out what works for them, whether it’s a phone call, text message or Skype chat.”
Listen for a pattern of behavior or mood changes
As students transition to adulthood, changes in social activities, preferences and identity are expected, Dr. Weisner said, but persistent changes in mood or behavior could be cause for concern. Parents should ask, “Are these changes a normal part of transitioning to adulthood?”
For example, if your happy-go-lucky student becomes withdrawn, has a decreased appetite or is not functioning well academically, he or she may be struggling to cope with stress or another issue. Conversely, if your student is reaching out to you more frequently than is typical for him or her, they may need increased support.
“As mental health professionals, we look for patterns of change that may result in negative consequences, and parents can do the same,” Dr. Weisner said. “A stessor can cause a bad day or a bad week, but parents know their children best, so if they see a negative pattern developing, they should speak up.”
Voice your concerns clearly and early
Dr. Weisner said that parents often feel like the advice or support they share with students goes unheard even when it is needed. To avoid miscommunication, he advises parents to relate to their students as young adults, not as children. He added that it is especially important to address issues early in the semester because poor academic performance is more difficult to correct as the semester moves forward.
“It’s tough, but I encourage parents to think about how their interaction with their student has changed,” Dr. Weisner said. “Relating to your son or daughter as an adult rather than a child is critical to their growth.”
Reach out to GW for resources
If parents suspect their son or daughter could need extra support, they can reach out to GW for resources, Dr. Weisner said. Mental health professionals are available to speak with parents and students 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 202-994-5300.
Parents also are strongly encouraged to fill out a CARE Network form if they are concerned about their student. These forms may be submitted anonymously.
“The CARE Network form is a great resource for parents because each form is reviewed quickly and distributed to the campus resources that can best support students of concern and provide the necessary outreach,” Dr. Weisner said.
GW parents can also find support and connect with other parents through the Office of Parent Services.