When Kids Leave for College: Supporting Their Mental Health—and Yours

It’s that time of year, when the nights get cooler and kids head off to college. Whether it’s your first child leaving home or your last, sending a child off to college stirs up a mix of excitement, pride, anxiety, and grief. It’s a time of big transitions—not just for students, but for parents too. Mental health is at the center of it all.

1. College Transition: A Mental Health Milestone

Starting college is one of the biggest emotional shifts in a young person’s life. According to recent studies, more than 60% of college students report experiencing overwhelming anxiety, and nearly half report feeling so depressed they struggle to function. It’s not just "nerves"—it’s an opportunity for early support and long-term resilience.

2. Warning Signs to Watch For

As a parent or caregiver, it’s crucial to remain gently observant. Warning signs of mental health struggles include:

• Withdrawal from social connection (even with you)

• Changes in sleep or appetite

• Academic decline or disengagement

• Expressions of hopelessness or overwhelm

• Increased substance use

Stay connected—texts, calls, or video chats can be lifelines. Ask open-ended questions and normalize talking about mental health without judgment or fixing.

3. Setting Up Mental Health Support Before They Go

Before the semester starts, help your teen prepare:

• Research on-campus counseling centers and their availability

• Make a list of local therapists and walk-in clinics near campus

• Ensure they know how to refill prescriptions or access medical care

• Talk through mental health consent laws (especially important for over-18s)

• Discuss healthy coping skills like mindfulness, exercise, peer support, and asking for help

Normalize therapy as a tool, not a crisis response. It’s just as vital as having a class schedule or dorm key.

4. Your Mental Health Matters Too

This isn’t just a transition for them—it’s for you. Parents often feel:

• Grief and loss (even if you’re proud)

• Anxiety about their safety, choices, and wellbeing

• A shifting sense of identity, especially if parenting was a central role

Give yourself permission to feel it all. Stay connected to your own support system. Talk to friends, journal, seek therapy if needed. Remember: letting go is not the same as abandoning—it’s trusting that the roots you gave them are strong enough to grow on their own.

5. Final Thoughts: Letting Go with Love

Sending a child off to college is a beautiful paradox—full of joy, fear, pride, and uncertainty. The best gift you can give them is your steady presence, even from afar, and the confidence that they can care for themselves—and ask for help when they can’t.

Support their mental health by modeling care for your own. This new chapter isn’t the end of parenting; it’s just a different kind of closeness.

Summer Hygge

 When most of us think of hygge, we imagine flickering candles, blankets, and mugs of cocoa or tea by a fire. But this Danish concept of everyday coziness and contentment isn’t just for winter. Summer hygge is all about slowing down, savoring the season, and finding joy in the simple, sun-soaked moments that make life beautiful.

1. Outdoor Living: Bring Hygge Outside Summer is the perfect time to extend your cozy space into the outdoors. Whether it’s a small balcony, a backyard garden, or a nearby park, create a nook for yourself. Add string lights, a soft blanket for cool evenings, and a basket with your favorite book, journal, or knitting project.

2. Savor the Seasonal Foods Nothing says summer hygge like a meal made from fresh, seasonal ingredients. Think berries picked at a local farm, grilled veggies, and lemonade with herbs from your own windowsill garden. 

3. Mindful Mornings and Golden Evenings Wake up early to watch the sunrise or take a quiet walk before the world gets busy. In the evenings, light a citronella candle and take in the warm nights under the moon and stars. Summer hygge means making time for these slow, intentional moments that connect you to the rhythms of nature.

4. Celebrate Simplicity Forget the packed vacation itinerary. Summer hygge is about being, not doing. Enjoy a spontaneous picnic, take a barefoot walk through the grass, or have an impromptu sunset gathering with friends.

5. Unplug and Reconnect Hygge is about presence. Try a “digital sunset” each evening—put away the screens an hour before bed and enjoy analog activities like reading, sketching, or stargazing. These small rituals create space for peace and reconnection. They can slow down the mind, and help with sleep.

 Summer hygge invites us to be fully present in this golden season—to feel the warmth of the sun on our skin, to hear laughter carried on the wind, and to find contentment in life’s simplest pleasures.

---Cara

Graduation is more than just a celebration—it’s a major life transition.

Graduation season is often framed in celebration—caps flying, proud smiles, and hopeful speeches. But beneath the surface,  this milestone can stir up deep emotional waves for both children and parents. It’s a time of transition, and like any big change, it can bring mental health challenges alongside the joy.

Whether your child is leaving kindergarten, middle school, high school, or college, this moment marks a shift. And for many kids—and their families—that shift can be overwhelming.

1. The Emotional Weight of Change Graduation means saying goodbye to familiar routines, classmates, and teachers. Even when it's a step toward something exciting, kids may feel a mix of anxiety, sadness, and pressure. For some, it stirs fears of the unknown or worries about performance, especially if they're expected to “have it all figured out.”

What you can do:

• Normalize mixed emotions. Let them know it's okay to feel excited and scared at the same time.

• Offer a listening ear—without judgment or “fixing.”

• Share stories of your own transitions to remind them they’re not alone.

2. The Mental Health Check-In As kids move on to the next stage, mental health needs can shift. The pressure of college decisions, job searching, or simply “what’s next?” can increase anxiety or depression—sometimes in ways that aren’t immediately visible.

Watch for:

• Sudden changes in mood or energy

• Withdrawing from friends or usual activities

• Difficulty sleeping or eating

• Excessive worry or perfectionism

What you can do:

• Check in regularly, not just about achievements, but about how they feel.

• Encourage healthy habits—routine, sleep, movement, and connection.

• Be open to seeking professional help if needed. Therapy isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a tool for resilience.

3. Parents: Your Emotions Matter Too Parents often feel the bittersweet tug of pride and grief. Watching your child grow up is beautiful—but it can also feel like a loss. There’s the practical shift in your role, but also the emotional reality of letting go.

What you can do:

• Acknowledge your own feelings. Give yourself space to reflect and grieve this ending.

• Talk to other parents or a therapist. You’re not alone in feeling unsure or emotional.

• Find new ways to connect with your child as they step into their independence.

 Graduation marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. It’s filled with possibility—but also vulnerability. By making space for honest conversations, emotional check-ins, and mental health care, we can support our children—and ourselves—through one of life’s most defining transitions.

The cap and gown are just the beginning. The real journey is within