Helping Patients and Families Navigate the Transition to College: Common Themes, Lessons Learned, and Best Practices

Abstract

The clinical cases in this book serve to highlight a number of strategies and themes that can be used to guide the development of best practices in transition preparation and planning for youth with mental health conditions headed to college. Mental health care transition, in this context, demands a team effort involving the young person, his/her family, high school personnel, treatment providers on both sides of the transition, and other designated supporters. A developmental perspective is key to the process, acknowledging the importance of the young person in decision-making and recognizing that age-appropriate support and structure before, during and after the transition makes sense for many student/patients. Clinicians need to assess the readiness of patients for the transition to college across multiple domains of function and should be prepared to raise difficult issues such as mental stability, the stresses inherent in what is usually considered a happy milestone, alternative post-secondary options and paths, over-reliance on parental and school supports, and the need for ongoing care once on campus. Comprehensive and well-communicated plans for continuity of care, including relapse prevention plans and services through the school’s ODS, are an important aspect of transition preparation and planning. Mental health practitioners have important roles to play in facilitating safe and effective transitions of their patients to college.