College Wellness

Suicide

When Bad Breakups Lead to Suicidal Thoughts

Marcia Morris M.D. on May 12, 2024

A recent study of university students showed that breakups were associated with a 25 percent increase in the prevalence of suicidal thinking.

A recent study of university students showed that breakups were associated with a 25 percent increase in the prevalence of suicidal thinking.

Divorce

5 Ways to Help Your College Student Cope With Parent Divorce

Marcia Morris M.D. on March 11, 2024

Offer your child support in the face of parent divorce while encouraging them to focus on their college experience and their future.

Offer your child support in the face of parent divorce while encouraging them to focus on their college experience and their future.

Relationships

Six Steps for Parents of Students in an Abusive Relationship

Marcia Morris M.D. on December 17, 2023

If we see our college students entering a toxic relationship, we can intervene by pointing out the red flags and offering them ongoing emotional support.

If we see our college students entering a toxic relationship, we can intervene by pointing out the red flags and offering them ongoing emotional support.

Diet

Eat Your Way to Emotional Wellness

Marcia Morris M.D. on September 22, 2023

Eating healthfully, mindfully, and socially are important habits that contribute to good mental well-being and a high quality of life over the long term.

Eating healthfully, mindfully, and socially are important habits that contribute to good mental well-being and a high quality of life over the long term.

Psychiatry

Positive Psychiatry in College Mental Health

Marcia Morris M.D. on July 11, 2023

By helping college students focus on a positive outlook, strengths, values, social connections, and healthy habits, we can greatly enhance their sense of well-being.

By helping college students focus on a positive outlook, strengths, values, social connections, and healthy habits, we can greatly enhance their sense of well-being.

OCD

Is OCD Increasing in College Students Since COVID-19?

Marcia Morris M.D. on April 14, 2023

There's growing concern about an increase in obsessive-compulsive symptoms, but also hope for more effective treatments.

There's growing concern about an increase in obsessive-compulsive symptoms, but also hope for more effective treatments.

Anxiety

Top Ten Workouts for College Mental Health

Marcia Morris M.D. on January 22, 2023

With the start of the new year, I hope you can encourage your student to engage in regular exercise to promote good mental health.

With the start of the new year, I hope you can encourage your student to engage in regular exercise to promote good mental health.

Health

Dear College Student, You Deserve to Be Happy

Marcia Morris M.D. on November 6, 2022

If you face academic, social, or mental health challenges, never give up. Ask for help from campus support services, family, or friends.

If you face academic, social, or mental health challenges, never give up. Ask for help from campus support services, family, or friends.

Sleep

Why College Students Should Feast on Sleep

Marcia Morris M.D. on August 28, 2022

Sleep is as essential to our well-being as the food we eat.

Sleep is as essential to our well-being as the food we eat.

Education

Jumpstarting Social Growth While Learning to Live With COVID

Marcia Morris M.D. on June 20, 2022

If COVID has taught us anything, it has taught us the power and importance of social connection.

If COVID has taught us anything, it has taught us the power and importance of social connection.

Depression

Medical Mimics of Depressive Disorders in College Students

Marcia Morris M.D. on April 12, 2022

We as psychiatrists and you as parents have an important role as advocates in ensuring our college students get the medical and psychiatric care they need.

We as psychiatrists and you as parents have an important role as advocates in ensuring our college students get the medical and psychiatric care they need.

Anxiety

Should My College Student Take Anxiety Medication?

Marcia Morris M.D. on January 30, 2022

The decision to start medication depends on the severity of symptoms, how functioning is impacted, and patient preference.

The decision to start medication depends on the severity of symptoms, how functioning is impacted, and patient preference.

Health

When It’s Not Just Homesickness

Marcia Morris M.D. on November 7, 2021

With your work, love, and encouragement, you can help your student move from crisis to recovery.

With your work, love, and encouragement, you can help your student move from crisis to recovery.

SSRIs

5 Things You Should Know About Antidepressants and College

Marcia Morris M.D. on August 17, 2021

You are an important advocate for your child and can provide valuable feedback regarding medication response and side effects.

You are an important advocate for your child and can provide valuable feedback regarding medication response and side effects.

Psychiatry

Psychiatric Medication and College Students

Marcia Morris M.D. on May 22, 2021

If behavioral changes or therapy do not work for depression, anxiety, or ADHD, medication is another tool to improve functioning.

If behavioral changes or therapy do not work for depression, anxiety, or ADHD, medication is another tool to improve functioning.

Loneliness

The End of College Loneliness During COVID

Marcia Morris M.D. on February 28, 2021

Now is the time to encourage your college student to seek an array of social connections

Now is the time to encourage your college student to seek an array of social connections

Depression

Defeating Depression in College Students During COVID

Marcia Morris M.D. on December 6, 2020

If we or our children are struggling, there is help to bridge us to better times ahead.

If we or our children are struggling, there is help to bridge us to better times ahead.

Trauma

What Parents Need to Know About Trauma, College, and COVID

Marcia Morris M.D. on September 20, 2020

Approaching our own and our children’s trauma with compassion is the first step on the road to healing.

Approaching our own and our children’s trauma with compassion is the first step on the road to healing.

Addiction

Why Marijuana Is Not the Cure for the COVID Pandemic

Marcia Morris M.D. on June 27, 2020

COVID-19 is likely to bring new twists and turns to the academic year; you can help your college student find a healthy path to resiliency.

COVID-19 is likely to bring new twists and turns to the academic year; you can help your college student find a healthy path to resiliency.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Helping College Students Cope With COVID-19

Marcia Morris M.D. on March 29, 2020

Take this time to pause and examine how you and your college student can prioritize what really matters.

Take this time to pause and examine how you and your college student can prioritize what really matters.