Student with Mental Illness

umdclassof80
Fri, 07 Sep 2012 17:18:50 +0000

I got a phone call from my D today. She was upset and crying. A good friend at college has been acting very strange and withdrawn since moving back on campus. He seems angry and upset. When they are in class together, he pokes and scratches his arm until he starts to bleed. She and her friends have been trying to get him to go out with them, but most of the time, he just wants to stay in his room. According to my D, he spent the entire summer in his basement playing video games. She and her friends invited him to get together this summer, but he refused. Last week, when they were able to get him to leave his room and visit another friend, he just stood in the corner scowling at everyone. He doesn’t like to be touched AT ALL. She and her friends are now blaming themselves for his worsening behavior because they haven’t spent much time with him since they got back to school. I told her she should not blame herself or feel guilty. I strongly believe that he is suffering from mental illness (perhaps social anxiety and depression). I explained to my daughter that he is not in control of his thoughts and feelings. He needs professional help from a psychiatrist.

She and her friends met with the RA this afternoon because they are very concerned about the possibility that he may be suicidal or homicidal. When they left the RA’s room, their friend was standing outside the door and had overheard the entire conversation. Since then, he has cut off all communication with them.

I assured my D that they had done the right thing by contacting the RA. The RA said he would get in touch with the community director right away. I just hope that they can help this young man. I also suggested that someone needs to notify his parents.

I know I can always turn to this forum for help and advice. Any suggestions?