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How it feels to be a college student whose parents can’t let go

Written by Communications and Marketing

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Jessi Gold, a psychiatrist and chief wellness officer of the University of Tennessee system, says that the overinvolvement of a parental figure can lead to increased stress for a child who is trying to gain their own independence. “There’s a healthy level of checking in that can help someone’s mental health,” Gold says. “It’s really about: How do you find the medium to be that support for your kid and help them transition and help be there for them, but at the same time, give them space to grow and develop on their own?” It’s natural for college students to attempt to differentiate themselves from their family and be more independent, Gold says. To prepare for that transition, parents can focus on fostering concrete skills like teaching their child how to make appointments, or do laundry, or refill medication.

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