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NAMI: Starting the Conversation: College and Your Mental Health

Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Focus Population: Family Members, Peers, Youth, Youth of Transition Age

Topics: Family, Mental Health Treatment, Recovery from Mental Health or Substance Use Disorders, Schools, School-based Services, Suicide Prevention

To help put a thoughtful plan into place should a mental health condition arise, NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) and JED have created this guide to help start the conversation. It offers both parents and students the opportunity to learn more about mental health, including what the privacy laws are and how mental health information can be shared. Conversations allow you to plan for the unexpected; to know what to do if you develop emotional distress, a mental health condition or if an existing condition worsens. Talking about mental health is important even if you don’t experience a mental health condition because a friend may need help. Students often prefer to confide in a friend before confiding in anyone else—or you may notice that a peer is struggling and you may be able to assist. By learning more, you’ll be better equipped to know what to do if you or a friend is in distress.