MILWAUKEE, Wisc., (SPECTRUM NEWS)- Since March, people across the world have experienced moments they never thought they would have to face.
For college students, the spring of 2020 changed their lives.
“I’m usually a very level-headed, go with the flow person, but I’ve had a rough time,” says Marquette University senior Annie Carney. “I don’t cry often, but over the last three weeks it’s been at least four times.”
A global pandemic has created constant stress. Nationwide civil unrest has been ongoing since the end of May.
“There’s been a couple of times where my boyfriend looked at me and said, ‘You need to stop looking at Facebook right now and put your phone down and take a day to yourself,”' says Marquette graduate Chelsea Johanning, who is 22 years old.
Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division is anticipating a spike n the need for mental health resources for college students. This, as campuses begin to re-open for the fall semester.
BHD has a program called Wraparound MKE, a mental health program aimed at young adults and teenagers.
“(There is a) loss of connection to friends, to jobs, to school, to fellow students, to family members who they see less often,” says Dr. Steven Dykstra. “I think a lot of people rallied and got on their feet, but as it persists longer and longer, it begins to wear on them in a more chronic way.”
Dr. Dykstra is a psychologist with BHD. He says suicides and suicide attempts have nationally risen steadily amongst young people for the past five to seven years. Due to a pandemic that has many people isolating, he says those who need mental health counseling can be tougher to find.
“The folks who used to stand out from the background, as the people who we were the most concerned about, maybe don’t stand out in the same way,” he says.
Dr. Dykstra says it’s important for parents to talk to their children about how they are feeling, as well as do their part to connect their college-aged kids to resources they need.
“(It's important) to be able to say, ‘This isn’t what anybody planned,”' he says. “To connect them to resources through school, so they can connect with young people who are having a similar experience.”
He says every college in the county is aware of this program through BHD and he encourages them to reach out if needed.
If your son or daughter is in need of professional guidance, click here.