Back to School Support for New Canaan College Students with Mental Health Conditions

**updated 8/20/24**

As the summer draws to a close and the new school year approaches, college students with mental health conditions and their families should be taking steps to ensure the necessary supports are in place. Anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges can significantly impact a student’s academic and personal life. Laurel House and its gateway website www.rtor.org (Resources to Recover) offer programs and supportive services that can help New Canaan college students navigate their educational journey with confidence.

For 40 years, Laurel House has supported individuals living with mental health conditions in Stamford, CT, and the surrounding communities, including New Canaan. This nonprofit organization helps individuals and families achieve and sustain mental health to lead fulfilling lives. It is committed to providing comprehensive programs and services to enable young adults with mental health issues to thrive in school, the workplace, and the community.

Laurel House offers three essential programs for this population: Supported Education, Thinking Well (cognitive skills training), and Resources to Recover through the website, www.rtor.org.

How Laurel House Programs Help New Canaan College Students:

Supported Education

Supported Education is a specialized program that offers tailored assistance to college students with mental health conditions. It focuses on practical learning strategies, study skills, time management techniques, and support to enhance academic performance and overall success while promoting social and emotional adjustment. The program encourages self-advocacy, fosters a supportive community, and ensures students have access to the resources they need to thrive in their educational pursuits. It helps students access disability services and accommodations on campus, locally, or out of state. High school seniors can also benefit from this service in preparing for post-secondary education.

Thinking Well

The Thinking Well program at Laurel House (virtual and on-site in Stamford) helps students with mental health conditions build cognitive skills necessary for academic and workplace success. Cognitive remediation is a therapeutic approach designed to improve executive functioning in individuals with mental health issues. It focuses on targeting and enhancing thinking skills such as attention, memory, verbal learning, problem-solving, and processing speed. By addressing cognitive challenges related to mental health conditions, Thinking Well equips students with valuable tools to overcome barriers that impede their learning, helping them develop the cognitive abilities required for college-level work.

Resource Specialist Service

Laurel House’s website, www.rtor.org, connects individuals and families with mental health resources, including our dedicated Resource Specialist service. Parents and other family members can consult with a Resource Specialist at no cost to gather information, explore available services, and receive guidance on supporting their college student with mental health issues.

Our Resource Specialists offer a wealth of knowledge on resources in New Canaan and surrounding towns. They provide compassionate no-cost assistance to help New Canaan students and their families navigate the complex mental health landscape and identify relevant, expert services in town or on campus away from home.

Failure to Launch (FTL) syndrome is a common struggle among young adults with mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety. These conditions may hinder young adults’ ability to successfully transition into college, workplace, or independent living. Utilizing the services offered by Laurel House, New Canaan college students can overcome the challenges associated with FTL and gain the skills and confidence to lead fulfilling lives.

Recognizing the importance of mental health support for college students, the New Canaan Community Foundation provides funding to Laurel House, enabling the organization to offer vital services to New Canaan students and their families. Additionally, Laurel House offers virtual services and support for students attending college in other states, ensuring access to assistance regardless of location.

Laurel House’s Supported Education, Thinking Well, and the Resource Specialist service of rtor.org are ideal for New Canaan young adults struggling with mental health challenges and their families. These services provide the necessary support for college students and high school seniors with mental health conditions to excel academically and personally.

We encourage New Canaan families to explore these programs, enabling their young adults to succeed in college or vocational certification programs with the assistance and support they need.

New Canaan Behavioral Health Alliance

Laurel House, rtor.org, and Silver Hill Hospital are lead members of the New Canaan Behavioral Health Alliance, a collaborative effort of over 30 local organizations that makes it easier for New Canaan residents to access behavioral health information and resources. Through this initiative, New Canaan residents can contact a Resource Specialist and will be prioritized for free support and referrals to expert behavioral health providers in Fairfield County and beyond.

The New Canaan Behavioral Health Alliance also provides New Canaan residents in urgent need of mental health treatment with a timely psychiatric assessment through the Silver Hill Hospital New Canaan Urgent Assessmen t Program.

To learn more about Resources to Recover and Laurel House’s programs or to explore additional types of support, we encourage you to contact an RtoR Resource Specialist. Our Resource Specialists can provide free support and detailed information tailored to your specific needs and situation.

If you or someone you know experiences mental health issues, it is important to seek help from a qualified professional. Our Resource Specialists can help you find expert mental health resources and support in your community. Contact us now for more information on this free service.

Contact a Resource Specialist