For many students, joining the BU community will be their first experience living away from home for a prolonged time. The expert staff at Behavioral Medicine comprises psychiatrists, psychologists, and other licensed professionals who can address psychological and adjustment issues that may present during this time.
Here are some helpful talking points that can help you and your student better communicate about their life on campus:
- What’s been helpful in the past when you’ve felt stressed or overwhelmed? Let’s think about how this translates to college life (e.g., if exercise has been helpful, go online together and look at the classes offered at FitRec).
- When you get to BU, who will you talk to if you’re having a hard time? (Let your student know that you will be available, but encourage them to think of others they can turn to for support)
- Talk about mental health resources right off the bat! If your student has had mental health treatment in the past, consider reaching out to Behavioral Medicine a few weeks before the start of the fall semester to discuss referrals for treatment, or to schedule an initial consultation.
- Remind your student that there are a number of people available to support them on campus: RAs, advisors, professors, chaplains, just to name a few.
Looking for more information?
Boston University has partnered with the JED Foundation and is committed to creating a campus community that supports emotional well-being. The JED website offers a wealth of information about how to best prepare your student before arrival on campus, as well as how to navigate mental health and wellness while in college. Here are a few resources to start:
