This week, I appeared on Robin Swoboda’s show, “That’s Life” to talk about clothing trends for girls.  It was a follow up to my article for Akron Family Magazine on my experience bathing suit shopping with my ten-year-old daughter.  For a link to the article, scroll down to “Too Sexy, Too Fast.”

On the set with Robin Swoboda for "That's Life" on Fox 8 Cleveland

One out of four college students utilizing campus based mental health counseling services have considered suicide, a pilot study by the Center for the Study of Collegiate Mental Health at Pennsylvania State University reported in April. Focusing on 28,000 students at 66 institutions nationwide (including Ohio State) over a five year period, the study also found a significant increase in self-injury and alcohol and substance traced to issues such as depression.

Mental health is a real concern on college campuses, but most parents don’t know it.  As an adult, your child has the right to see a counselor without you knowing.  Most parents give the lecture about drugs, drinking, sex, and grades.  But what about recognizing the signs of depression or whether or not a roommate is mentally well?

I’ve just updated my college survival guide, My Roommate is Driving Me Crazy! There’s extensive chapter on mental health and all new material about recognizing the signs of a potentially violent student.  Roommates and other students are the best observers of this behavior.  Teaching students to report and reach out is the best thing we can do to keep our campuses safe.  Please make sure your child is educated!

If you know of a soon-to-be college freshman, consider a copy of the book as one of the survival tools you pack along with gift cards and bedding.  This kind of knowledge really is power!

To all Moms of daughters - have you been shopping for a swim suit yet?  Not yours, your daughter’s.  Since we went to a warm location for spring break, I’ve already been through the horror of way-too-mature choices.

I wrote about my experience in this month’s Akron Family Magazine. Let me know if your story is similar and how you addressed it.