Parents need to know what to do before the worst happens. I am writing this as the parent of a college freshman and high school sophomore and an Independent Educational Consultant. We send our children to college with every thought that the hardest part of parenting is over. The possibility of losing a child in college is unthinkable. Here are some recommendations because we need some action to take. We are reminded of the father of Anna Marie Smith who, once he realized she had left her laptop at home, raced to the campus only to be too late. No parent should have to go through that.
If your college student seems to not be doing well, a parent needs to have daily communication by telephone, not text, with that student. Parents need the telephone numbers of students’ dorm and suite mates and the Resident Advisor.
Colleges are severely limited by FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and cannot contact a parent when their child seeks mental health services. If a student who is not doing well cannot be contacted, act immediately by going to them to ensure that they are getting services from the student health center. Another option is to remove them from school until they can be stabilized with help from mental health professionals and possibly medication.
Parents can and should plan ahead by helping their student choose the right college. Independent Educational Consultants that specialize in helping students with any type of special circumstance should be chosen. Parents can help keep their precious children alive.
If your college student seems to not be doing well, a parent needs to have daily communication by telephone, not text, with that student. Parents need the telephone numbers of students’ dorm and suite mates and the Resident Advisor.
Colleges are severely limited by FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and cannot contact a parent when their child seeks mental health services. If a student who is not doing well cannot be contacted, act immediately by going to them to ensure that they are getting services from the student health center. Another option is to remove them from school until they can be stabilized with help from mental health professionals and possibly medication.
Parents can and should plan ahead by helping their student choose the right college. Independent Educational Consultants that specialize in helping students with any type of special circumstance should be chosen. Parents can help keep their precious children alive.