Mental health is an important issue everywhere, but it’s especially crucial in areas that are heavily populated by students. The Knoxville metropolitan area is home to over 868,000 people, and over 214,000 of these people are students enrolled in one of the 54 colleges that are within100 miles. Studies show that mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are on the rise amongst college students, so it’s imperative that professional care be readily available. This isn’t always the case, though — college students may face obstacles such as financial constraints and scheduling difficulties when they try to seek out care.
Regardless of whether you’re a student or not, if you have encountered these challenges, you probably feel exasperated. Finding the right mental health care in Knoxville shouldn’t be so difficult. Find out how to get the care you need and connect with a compassionate provider.
Addressing the Stress of School
Whether you’re freshly graduated from high school or enrolling as a nontraditional student, college can come with stress that affects your mental health. Stress has been linked to increased rates of depression and anxiety in Knoxville, so it’s important that you identify the underlying causes of stress before they escalate into a more serious mental health issue such as the following.
Anxiety
It’s estimated that 18.1% of adults in the U.S. live with some form of anxiety. This statistic means that it’s the most common mental illness, but its frequency doesn’t mean that it’s not serious. On the contrary, despite the widespread prevalence of the ailment, only about 37% of those who are affected are able to access treatment. Some of the symptoms of anxiety include the following:
- Feelings of restlessness
- Being tired or fatigued
- Difficulty concentrating
- Random bouts of irritability
In isolation, each of these symptoms might not be cause for concern. If experienced together, though, these symptoms indicate that you may be dealing with anxiety in Knoxville.
Depression
Many people struggle with depression in Knoxville. In fact, it is the second most common mental health affliction, behind anxiety. Anybody who has dealt with depression knows that it’s very different than sadness. Indeed, depression can be a crippling condition, with symptoms ranging from intense feelings of despair to suicidal ideation. If you feel that you may be a danger to yourself, it’s vital that you take steps such as the following to protect yourself:
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255
- Text the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741
- Chat with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s Lifeline Chat online
- Seek treatment at your local Emergency Room facility
- Reach out to a loved one who you trust
Even if you are not dealing with suicidal ideation — but you still feel like you may be depressed — you should seek treatment by reaching out to a psychiatric provider in Knoxville.
Causes of College Mental Health Struggles
Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression can be a problem for any person. Regardless of your age, race, gender, or occupation, you deserve to find relief from these struggles and access psychiatric care in Knoxville. Students may be particularly affected, though, due to the pressures of school and the unique factors found in the collegiate environment.
Unfamiliar Surroundings
Many college students move away from home in order to attend the school of their choice. At the University of Tennessee, for example, 38.1% of first-time freshmen students were from an out-of-state or international residence. Arriving in Knoxville — or any new place, for that matter — can be a jolting experience. College students may feel homesick or disoriented by their unfamiliar surroundings, and this can cause issues such as depression and anxiety in Knoxville to worsen.
New Social Situations
College also brings an array of new social situations that can be challenging for students. Many parties and Greek life events may encourage excessive drinking, which has been linked to increased rates of depression amongst young adults. College is also often the first time that students are forced to learn the importance of boundaries in relationships. The pressure to set healthy boundaries can be stressful for people of all ages, but it’s especially difficult when you’re juggling school work, new friends, and an array of other responsibilities.
The Pressure of Deadlines
Some students are surprised by the rigid structure that college entails. Indeed, if you’re suddenly struggling with the stress that accompanies deadlines, you aren’t alone. According to Psychology Today, deadlines can actually have a negative impact on a person’s mental health. This is especially true for anybody who might be struggling with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in Knoxville. Adjusting to the demands of academia isn’t always a smooth transition, and if it’s causing your mental health to suffer, it may be time to seek out help.
How Mental Health Issues Affect Students
All of the aforementioned aspects of college life can contribute to students’ worsening mental health. Issues such as depression and anxiety can especially problematic when they interfere with a student’s ability to perform academically. Some of the potential consequences of declining mental health include the following.
Struggling in School
Studies show that as many as 60% of college students struggle with a mental health disorder, and these struggles often coincide with difficulties in school, such as:
- Inability to meet deadlines
- Difficulty attending classes
- Lack of motivation
These symptoms can seriously slow a student’s progress and even threaten their ability to retain scholarships and other academic opportunities.
Difficulty Making Friends
Mental health struggles can also interfere with a student’s ability to make friends and form social bonds in college. College is an important time for building these connections, and a lack of friends can exacerbate feelings of isolation — which, in turn, can worsen mental health problems. Still, many students struggling with anxiety in Knoxville and other mental ailments may find that it’s difficult to forge friendships. Luckily, a mental health provider can help students find a solution so that mental health doesn’t thwart social opportunities.
More Serious Mental Health Issues
According to research, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death amongst college students. This fact proves that mental health is not just a matter of getting good grades and making new friends. In many cases, it’s also a matter of life and death. The likelihood of a negative outcome like this increases exponentially if a student is not able to access the care they need to overcome their mental health issues. A student should seek help if their mental health starts affecting the rest of their life.
How Students Can Find Mental Health Care in Knoxville, TN
If you are having a hard time juggling the responsibilities of school, it’s important not to neglect your mental health in Knoxville, TN. Seeking treatment may be beneficial, but if you’ve never sought out mental health services before, it can be difficult to know where to start. The good news is, counseling and psychiatric care can help you find solutions.
Counseling Services
Counseling is one of the most effective treatment options for mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder in Knoxville, TN. A therapist can help by applying techniques such as the following:
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Psychoanalysis and talk therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
Each of these modalities is best suited to different needs, so a therapist should work with you to find the approach that will be the most effective. Students may find that their college offers free counseling services to students.
Psychiatric Provider in Knoxville, TN
Counseling is great, but many students feel that it isn’t enough to alleviate their symptoms. If this is the case for you, augmenting your treatment plan with psychiatric care can provide the relief you need. A psychiatric provider in Knoxville, TN specializes in medication that addresses mental health issues. Examples of medication options include:
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Anti-anxiety medication
- Tranquilizers
- Mood stabilizers
These medications can be used to treat an array of ailments, but finding the right option can be a process of trial and error. It’s important to have a provider on your side who can help you find the best treatment option for your unique mental health needs. The right mental health care provider in Knoxville can also offer referrals to a therapist if you’d like to address your concerns with both medication and counseling at the same time.
Students Can Find Mental Health Services in Knoxville, TN
College is often depicted as an easy and carefree time, but if you’re a student, you know that reality is often much different. Instead, college is filled with the stress of constant deadlines and the pressure of new social situations. It’s unsurprising, then, that navigating the demands of higher education can put a strain on your mental health. If you are dealing with depression, anxiety, or any other mental health concern in Knoxville, there is help available. Rose Behavioral Health offers convenient telehealth appointments to clients throughout Tennessee. Reach out to one of our providers to get started.
