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In 2021, anxiety prevention for college students is just scratching the surface of the mental health challenges facing young people. Boosting ongoing efforts, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) just released a new downloadable guide. The new guide is entitled “Prevention and Treatment of Anxiety, Depression, and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among College Students.” Hence, one of the goals of the guide is helping young people transition safely back to live college settings.

Indeed, there is a general recognition in therapeutic communities that difficulties are going to characterize many post-pandemic transitions. Indeed, it will not be easy to just go back to “normal” after a new normative has been established in society. Such a shift is ripe ground for mental health (MH) challenges like anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Therefore, at the outset, anxiety prevention for college students is the first step in the bigger process.

Anxiety Prevention Techniques and Tarzana Treatment Centers

As one of the largest nonprofit providers of mental health services in California, Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) believes in both prevention and treatment. Thus, although we offer innovative mental health treatment services, prevention in local communities is an ongoing priority. When it comes to such challenges, catching anxiety or depression early in the progression of the MH condition is essential. By making young people aware of the risks and educating the public, prevention techniques improve. Moreover, early intervention is more common when awareness is higher.

In the abstract of the new guide, SAMHSA explains, “The increase in prevalence of mental health concerns on college campuses over the last few years is viewed as a serious mental health crisis requiring immediate action. Additionally, the number of students enrolling in college with preexisting mental health conditions is rising. Finally, college students are at the prime age for the onset of many symptoms of mental illnesses.”

Moreover, anxiety tends to be the first snowball that starts rolling down the hill. Long before it becomes a dangerous avalanche, anxiety seems innocuous. After all, isn’t being anxious just a “normal” part of the collegiate experience? Additionally, is not anxiety a commonplace reaction for a young person when they leave home for the first time to live on their own?

Although these questions are valid, they are also blankets thrown on a roaring fire. By not taking the fire seriously and taking proper precautions, a small outbreak can quickly spread, becoming a roaring disaster in a young person’s life.

The SAMHSA Guidelines about Anxiety Prevention

Once again, SAMHSA offers a free guide that proves to be incredibly valuable for both professionals and everyone else. By highlighting evidence-based programs, SAMHSA underlines the importance of using proven strategies to help young people. Indeed, TTC follows suit in this approach, believing that evidence-based programs are the key to both prevention and treatment approaches.

Being clear in their approach, SAMHSA highlights this priority, “The guide presents five evidence-based programs and practices that address the prevention and treatment of these common mental health concerns. The guide supports SAMHSA’s Strategic Plan Objective 3.4, ‘Support the identification and adoption of evidence-based practices, programs, and policies that prevent substance use, increase provision of substance use disorder treatment, and enable individuals to achieve long-term recovery.’”

Given the statistics, anxiety prevention is a priority. According to the National College Health Assessment, more than 60 percent of college students experience overwhelming anxiety at least once while attending college. The rising cost of college and the financial burden generates anxiety. Thus, a real need exists for anxiety prevention in collegiate settings.

Within the college system, social support is essential. SAMHSA views social support as an evidence-based technique for anxiety prevention. When students know they are not alone in experiencing anxious thoughts, they find relief. By raising awareness, schools help overcome separation, alienation, and isolation.

The Beginning of Anxiety Prevention + So Much More

It is important to note that this article provides just a taste of the rich meal that SAMHSA offers in the new guidelines. Hence, the mental health support options for both prevention and treatment in the guide are extensive. From anxiety prevention to the treatment of suicidal thoughts, SAMHSA offers a bevy of evidence-based strategies and programs. Knowing the territory, Tarzana Treatment Centers underlines the value of this new guide.