ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. (July 20, 2022) – Going off to college is a stressful time for everyone involved. For parents, there is the loss of direct physical control over their children, financial concerns, sadness about the looming empty nest. For kids, it is equal parts exciting and terrifying to finally be on their own, without parents hovering nearby. But they worry about fitting in, making new friends, their study load, student loans, and on and on. The result is that mental health crises are on the rise at campuses nationwide, exacerbated by recent COVID restrictions.
In Rockland County, the Behavioral Health Response Team (BHRT) provides mobile behavioral health services and crisis intervention 24/7, 365 days a year to individuals, families and agencies at no charge. Before your young adult leaves for school, BHRT recommends working with them to assemble an “emotional toolkit” with actions and exercises they can access whenever they start to feel overwhelmed or out of control.
Accentuate the Positive: The first step to developing stronger coping skills is realizing you can choose how to respond to a crisis. Anxiety and depression can make small problems seem larger than life, but you can train yourself to think healthier thoughts than zeroing in on the worst-case scenario. Ask yourself: “How likely is this outcome, really?” Practice thinking though to different, more positive outcomes.
Think in Terms of Action: Sometimes, circumstances in life may make us feel helpless and if you focus only on solutions that will totally resolve the problem, you can easily get frustrated. Instead, think: “What small step can I take right now to make things a little bit better?” Do that and try to build on it.
Just Breathe: It is simple, but it works. Start by inhaling through your nose for a count of five and focus on filling your stomach with your breath. Then slowly exhale through your mouth for a count of five. Repeat until you feel your heart rate even out.
Stay Active: Take an exercise class, engage in a hobby, or do chores or other small tasks you need to get done. Even a short walk in the fresh air can make you feel less stressed—and happier too—as exercise increases endorphins, a feel-good chemical in your body. A brief break can refresh you and help you think more clearly when you return to the issue.
Smile: Studies have proven that the mere act of smiling also releases endorphins, even when the smile is forced. When recovering from a stressful situation, study participants who were smiling had lower heart rates than those with a neutral facial expression. The next time you’re feeling stressed, just try smiling to calm yourself down.
These self-help tips can be useful, but it’s not the only option. Connecting with a support group or professional help can give you the resources you need to make lasting, positive change. The professionals at Rockland’s Behavioral Response Team are on call at 845-517-0400 all day, seven days a week to talk to you about anything that might be causing stress, anxiety or emotional trauma.