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There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
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Atlanta, GA | Posted: September 4, 2013
President Peterson has designated September as National Recovery Month at Georgia Tech. Students, staff and departments are collaborating to raise awareness of how mental health and substance abuse issues are impacting our student community. A 2012 survey of US college students found the following startling statistics:
When it comes to coping with these emotions, the study revealed that
Moreover, even among those students who do not experience any of these symptoms or behaviors first hand, many are still impacted by the struggle of their family members, friends and colleagues who experience mental health and substance abuse issues.
Students commonly experience periods of stress and sadness, and many experiment with drugs and alcohol. How do you know when your student is not just stressed, but distressed? How do you know when your student’s sadness has become depression? How do you know when your student’s drinking has drifted from experimentation to abuse?
Here are some signs to help you identify when your student may be in distress.
Signs of Stress and Sadness
Signs of Anxiety and Depression
Substance Use vs. Abuse
Any student using illicit drugs or any student under 21 consuming alcohol is violating the Georgia Tech Student Code of Conduct. According to the National Institutes of Health, binge drinking is defined as:
If your student is consuming alcohol at this rate, they are drinking in high-risk ways that significantly increase their chance of experiencing negative consequences. Using substances to meet emotional needs such as relaxing, feeling less anxious or more socially comfortable are indicators of problematic substance use. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends following low-risk drinking guidelines for healthy adults 21 years of age and older. It’s as easy as 0-1-2-3.
Georgia Tech has a Counseling Center (www.counseling.gatech.edu) that offers free and confidential counseling for mental health and substance use issues. On our website, students can find anonymous self-assessments to see if they have depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse and other common mental health problems. Students can seek support through brief consultations, workshops, support groups and individual counseling at the Counseling Center, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Stamps Health Services has a women’s clinic and psychiatry office offering specialized services. Additionally, the Office of the Dean of Students serves as an advocate for struggling students and houses a wide range of support services.
As we mark National Recovery Month, take this opportunity to check-in with your student about his or her mental health and substance use. Let your student know that Georgia Tech has support resources available to aide him or her in having a successful academic career.
