Welcome back to savvy psychologist. I'm Dr. Jade Wu and every week I'll help you

meet life's challenges with evidence-based research, a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment.

This week we're talking about the four must-dos to maintain college mental health so that young people

can not only survive but thrive

during the most exciting four years of their life.

College is such a special experience.

I remember it fondly as the most transformative and fun time of my life.

I had some of my worst heartbreaks, proudest triumphs, and most cringe-worthy mistakes.

I also formed my most precious friendship. and most cringe-worthy mistakes.

I also formed my most precious friendships there.

But now that I'm on the other side, teaching, mentoring, and treating college students,

I'm also remembering just how challenging it can be.

So during college, academic demands are raised to a whole new level.

And this is often the first time you're living away from home and

having to be independent. The newfound freedom and responsibility are both

intoxicating and intimidating. There are no more guardrails. All of this is hard

enough already but if you're a college student who struggles with mental health

the college experience can be especially difficult and even dangerous.

A 2018 report from the World Health Surveys International College Student Project found that one-third of

college freshmen reported experiencing mental health problems in the past year.

Another large-scale study of over 150 college students found that in the past 10 years,

the percentage of students who have had a mental health diagnosis at some point in their lives

...