Emotional Health

A significant adjustment is demanded of students in a residential college experience: accepting greater independence and dealing with its consequences; learning to get along with people who have different values and behavior patterns; setting limits; structuring time and setting priorities; managing uncertainty; and testing principles in the presence of doubt. As exciting as the process can be, it may deplete emotional resources. The effects of stress vary from person to person and from one situation to another. Many students have the notion that “asking for help” shows weakness or lack of coping ability. On the contrary, the professionals in the Student Affairs division work hard in many ways to persuade students that “accessing appropriate resources constitutes mature and effective problem-solving.” Parents can help by encouraging students to solve their own problems by finding useful resources on campus. If you are concerned about your son or daughter and they are not effectively using available resources, please contact the Richmond College Dean’s office (804-289-8061) or Westhampton College Dean’s office (804-289-8468).

Students With Pre-Existing Mental Health Issues

Each year, a number of students arrive at the university under the erroneous assumption that “Everything is new here” or “My problems are left behind.” They fail to prepare for the new stresses of college life and to utilize the resources which they relied upon during high school. Rather than finding things easier in college, most students find that the challenges increase. Additional resources typically are necessary.

It is essential that students disclose any history of treatment for psychiatric or psychological problems, substance abuse, or eating disorders on their medical information sheet that is sent to the Student Health Center. We also highly recommend that these students visit Counseling and Psychological Services for one “get acquainted session” with us and our location. Then it is easier to come and consult with us promptly if the stresses of college cause their previous problems to recur or intensify. Both the Student Health Center and CAPS are bound by strict codes of confidentiality. No information can be released (even to parents) without the student’s written consent (except in limited, legally-defined situations). See the CAPS Informed Consent and CAPS Privacy Practice Notice for additional information.

It may also be helpful for students with pre-existing problems to share this information with the Westhampton College or Richmond College Deans’ offices, who serve as a kind of “home away from home” for students. While this information will be kept confidential and only shared with other university professionals on a need to know basis, it may significantly aid the university’s ability to respond to any difficulties that may arise.

Mental Health Crises

For a small percentage of students, the pressures and strains of college life precipitate intense psychological disturbance, such as anxiety disorders, depressions, psychoses, active suicidal behavior, or destructive aggressive actions. “Nervous breakdown” is a term frequently used to describe emotional disorders of this magnitude. When a student demonstrates behavior indicating that a severe emotional disorder is present or imminent, the university will move to intercede on the student’s behalf as quickly as conditions allow. The priorities of the university in these emergencies are to protect the welfare of the student involved and to ensure the safety of the community. In the event of hospitalization, parents are notified as promptly as feasible by the Dean of the student’s college or the Vice President for Student Development. Sometimes a crisis situation may not require hospitalization but is judged serious enough that parents will still be informed. At this time, parents may experience feelings of guilt and remorse, wondering what it was they did or failed to do that contributed to such a crisis. Such feelings are understandable but usually unfounded.

For the student and parents, two issues are paramount: to arrange effective professional intervention as soon as possible; and then to reconsider next steps in the student’s life. Experience suggests that a leave from the University is often a wise and reasonable decision, to give the student time to recover from psychological distress and to integrate the experience cognitively. In consultation with campus professionals, a Dean may insist that a student take such a leave. If and when the student is ready to return to the University, a letter from the treating professional to the Richmond or Westhampton College Dean is required, describing the student’s improvement and readiness to resume college life.

Most students who experience a severe psychological incident eventually return to college, and the majority of them successfully complete their studies.

Mental Health Services

For those students whose emotional health has not been so adversely affected, but who are not effectively coping, the University provides short-term, psychological counseling through the office of Counseling and Psychological Services. See Referring a Student to CAPS for additional information. Students usually prefer to keep this area of their lives private and personal, and federal law mandates that mental health services maintain confidentiality except in extreme circumstances. Information may be given to parents only with a student’s written permission. See the CAPS Informed Consent and CAPS Privacy Practice Notice for additional information.

Next Section: Campus Resources