May is both mental health awareness month and college finals month, as the Spring semester ends.
Over 60% of higher-ed students in the U.S. meet diagnostic criteria for at least one mental health condition — that’s a 50% increase from 13 years ago. Of those mental illnesses, the most common are anxiety, depression and eating disorders. And at the end of the semester, when high stakes in final exams determine class scores and future scholarship money, those mental health concerns can get worse.
As schools across Nevada shepherd more than 100,000 students through the final days of the semester, advocates and counselors have geared up to help them through.
"This is an interesting time of year, in that it's very stressful, and it's good and bad stress a lot of times," said Erin Williams, associate director of clinical services for UNLV's Counseling and Psychological Services.
One way colleges are attempting to help students cope is a spate of finals week activities geared towards helping students destress. UNLV hosts Rebel Reset Week, where students can participate in music and game events, craft, enjoy relaxation stations, grab “finals survival kits” and even interact with therapy dogs. UNR also has therapy dogs, free food and group activities, as well as drop-in counselor consultations.
Williams said these programs are meant to remind students that they can take an active part in managing their anxiety levels. "We get stressed out, and sometimes we forget about some of the options that we have. And so, sometimes it's a nice reminder to be like, 'These are some things that you can do as well.'"
Beyond that, experts like Liz Morris, executive director of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Southern Nevada, also recommend staying vigilant for any new, disruptive symptoms that could indicate a need to seek professional help.
"When you start to see things like reduced sleep and reduced physical health," Morris said, "those are signs that we've moved outside the window of tolerance into like hyper-arousal or hypo-arousal, which are the things we see like mania or high anxiety or being completely dissociated, sleeping all the time, feeling empty."
But if you're seeking help, attempting to take care of yourself and still feeling stressed, Morris said, the best approach can sometimes just be taking the pressure off.
"Just give yourself grace. Are we doing the best we can? [If yes,] that has to be enough."
If you or someone you know is struggling with stress or thoughts of self harm, call the 988 suicide and crisis hotline. Or, text 775-296-8336 to talk to one of Nevada's teen mental health specialists.
Guests: Liz Morris, executive director, NAMI Southern Nevada; Erin Williams, associate director of clinical services, UNLV Counseling and Psychological Services
