You’re taking one of the first steps toward living independently, moving out of your family’s home or off of your college or university’s campus. As a young adult, this can be as surprisingly challenging as it is thrilling. You will have more freedom than you did before, but you will also have less structure and support.
You are far from the first person to encounter a few hurdles on their way to an independent life. At Lightfully, we often see students living off campus and making adjustments. Some see mental health conditions emerge during their college years. Our licensed therapists treat people with mood, personality, thought and trauma-based disorders through a Virtual Partial Hospitalization Program (vPHP) for adults.
Support can enable growth
Have you ever seen a garden full of plants with structures to climb, like stakes for tomato plants or trellises for vines? These plants might have the strength to survive on their own, but they will truly thrive with dependable support. In the same way, you may find that reliable structure supports your work toward the next milestones in your life.
Consider participating in treatment.
A change can always be challenging, but sometimes an underlying mental health condition can add to the difficulty. If you’re going through new symptoms or a reemergence, you may find a path forward in a vPHP. This program provides 20 hours of treatment per week as a step down from in-person or inpatient treatment. You can see a licensed clinical therapist and psychiatrist as well as other clients in clinician-led group sessions.
Make time for what matters to you.
Your treatment routine is a fundamental framework that underlies your health and basic obligations. As you begin to feel better, you might find things that you would like to look forward to. Maybe you want to see a friend every week, call a family member regularly or set aside time for a hobby. Don’t let it get lost among distractions — build it into your schedule proactively.
Stay in touch with friends and family.
College is a well-known place to make a fresh start, and that might involve making new social ties. Your new friends might become some of your most important friends quickly. Bonds formed while going through shared experiences can be intense, especially during your transition into adulthood. However, the friends you knew before college may still want to be there for you when you need them. Your family may, too. Don’t lose sight of these important people. Let them into your life.
Give yourself time to adjust.
Maybe your routine is perfect, your friends are there for you and your family is just waiting for your cue to help. You know who to get in touch with for professional assistance, too. But you might not feel confident in this new part of your life yet. Take a deep breath. That’s natural for many people. Take your time to settle into life off campus. You can build confidence over the next few weeks or months.
With treatment, connections and time, you may find yourself moving into off-campus life with greater ease. Sustaining your physical, mental and emotional health can help you succeed in school or at work. Plus, it can help you prepare for one of the transitions ahead of you: moving into life after school. Whether that means living alone, with friends or with family, you’ll know how to make a transition with confidence. You’ll have tools to rely on again in the future.
For support while you take the next steps, contact Lightfully. We’ll plan your journey toward the fullest, brightest version of you. If you are living with a mental health condition or experiencing symptoms that concern you, we can explore options for vPHP treatment.
