Amaura Kemmerer, LICSW
Executive Vice President of Client Engagement
College students have much to juggle – classes, studying, preparing for the future, managing relationships, family matters, and any other issues that may arise. It can be easy for them to get caught up in the daily grind and neglect their mental health needs.
While it is necessary to be productive and plan for the future during the college years, it is equally essential for students to take care of their mental well-being to prevent burnout, which can jeopardize their mental health. According to the Mayo Clinic, 1 in 3 college students experience significant depression and anxiety, which can result from burnout.
Practicing mindfulness – through activities like yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises – is one way to combat stress. A study from 2019 evaluated the impact of a six-week yoga and meditation program on students at the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy. The students participated in an hour-long vinyasa flow yoga class and guided meditation once a week. After completing the program, students’ self-reported anxiety and stress levels significantly decreased while their reported levels of mindfulness increased before heading into final exams. The study suggests participating in mindfulness practice, such as yoga, at least weekly, can lower stress and anxiety in college students.
Christie Campus Health’s solutions to support college students’ mental health include Headspace, a leading meditation and mindfulness app, which helps students build coping and resiliency skills. The app provides students with more than 1,000 hours of mindfulness and mental well-being content. According to the most recent independent survey of students using Christie Campus Health’s services, 97% say they are satisfied with Headspace. Many students say it helps them find balance during stressful times. One student reported, “Headspace is now my go-to app. I start my day by listening to the recommended audio and end my day with wind-down audio. I love this app, and it has made me feel better overall. It’s something that gets me through my most challenging days.”
In addition to Headspace, Christie Campus Health offers many other solutions to meet students wherever they are in their mental health journey. Our products include a 24/7 Clinical Support Line; teletherapy and in-person counseling visits; psychiatric prescribing, Navigators to assist with referrals and specialty care; and SilverCloud, a self-directed and clinically validated Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT). Contact Christie Campus Health to learn more.