The W-curve and naming transitions

Are today’s college students really in a mental health crisis, or are you misunderstanding what it’s always been like to grow up? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Alexis Redding, a Harvard developmental psychologist and editor of Mental Health in College. Dr. Redding shares that feelings like anxiety, loneliness, and uncertainty are often normal parts of growing up, especially during major transitions like starting college or entering the workforce. We also talk about what has actually changed for young people, from rising college costs and financial stress to the complexity of modern career paths and what hasn’t changed at all. Tune in to discover how you can better support young people today.

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In this Episode, You Will Learn

00:00 The normal developmental experiences during young adulthood.

05:00 What motivated you to research the transition from high school to college?

08:30 Why normalizing struggles can help parents support their children.

13:30 Are rising mental health diagnoses actually a positive sign?

20:15 College isn’t always the “best 4 years of your life.”

23:00 Why the idea of the “typical college student” is outdated.

27:00 What’s the difference between “warm” and “cold” policies?

30:30 How does financial support improve student well-being?

41:00 Why students often believe they are the only ones feeling lonely.

46:00 The “tangle of pressures” shaping student life today.

52:00 The 3 types of mentors young people need.

55:30 Why young employees may feel pressure to succeed quickly.

01:00:00 How to respond when a young person says, “I feel lonely”.

Resources + Links

Get a copy of the book Mental Health in College: What Research Tells Us About Supporting Students by Alexis Redding HERE

Learn more about Dr. Alexis Redding and her work HERE

Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

Watch the podcast on YouTube 

Find more resources on our website morraam.com

Follow

Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

Follow Alexis: on LinkedIn @alexisredding + Instagram @dralexisredding