Student Mental Health: A Guide for Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and Leaders Serving in Higher Education

Student Mental Health: A Guide for Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and Leaders
Serving in Higher Education is the result of a sustained and multidisciplinary
collaboration of scholars, leaders, clinicians, and educators who are deeply
committed to student health and well-being. The needs of young people today are
quite different from those of even 5 years ago, and this book pays great
attention to the specific issues encountered in caring for today's students who
experience distress or develop significant mental health conditions. Such
issues, including suicidality, newly emergent psychosis, problems associated
with substance misuse, the health risks of eating disorders, and the devastation
of sexual assault, can challenge even the most experienced clinician. These
topics and others related to safety, respect, conflict, and connection on
campus, as well as students' evolving relationships with family, friends, and
romantic partners, are covered with sensitivity and skill.

The book offers
many features that deepen awareness and enhance learning:

Chapters
offer student case examples that illustrate the concepts and strategies
discussed in the text, allowing readers to readily apply their newly acquired
knowledge to real-life scenarios. The experiences, mental health, and
well-being of distinct, vitally important, and often overlooked student
populations, such as student athletes, graduate students, students of color,
LGBTQ students, students who are the first in their families to attend college,
students who are veterans or active military, and medical students, are
addressed. Positive self-care-for both students and the clinicians who work
with them-is emphasized. For example, activities and habits related to sleep,
nutrition, and exercise are outlined in hopes they will become lifelong
self-management strategies for students, while effective measures to prevent
emotional exhaustion in clinicians are also highlighted in the text. Chapters
incorporate features designed to promote learning: Key points offer quick
summaries of chapter content; recommendations serve as reminders for best
practices; and discussion questions provide thought-provoking approaches to the
material for the reader's further reflection, development, and improvement.

At a time when students-whether in college, graduate school, or
professional training-are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress and
distress, the need for guidance that is comprehensive, compassionate,
constructive, and culturally sensitive has never been greater. Student Mental
Health brings understanding and clinical acumen to bear on the complex problems
of this vulnerable group.