For Parents and Families

Simple actions parents and families can take to enhance student well-being:

  • Visit ASU Parent Resources to learn about upcoming activities and events, and resources to support your student’s success.
  • Visit LiveWell@ASU to Explore Wellness. Review information on critical wellness areas that impact the lives of college students.
  • Prepare your student to take charge of his or her medical and mental health care needs.
    • Ensure your student has health insurance, knows the carrier and plan, and carries a member card, and understands the co-pay policy.
    • Provide your student with a copy of his or her health history, to include a list of allergies, dates of completed vaccinations, significant health or mental health conditions their providers should be aware of.
    • Empower your student to ask questions about their health or mental health condition, medicines prescribed to them, and their treatment plan.
    • If your student is 18 or older, they will need to sign a waiver in order for you to have permission to speak to their healthcare provider.
  • Encourage your student to be involved in campus life.
    • Having friends and other meaningful connections can help reduce stress and promote happiness.
    • Leadership and involvement experiences contribute to career readiness.
  • Start by believing.
    • Stressful personal situations are not uncommon.  During the past 12 months, ASU students experienced the following:
      • 16.4% experienced the death of a family member or friend,
      • 19.2% experienced homesickness.
      • 23.8% experienced roommate difficulties.
      • 27.4% experienced relationship difficulties.
      • 31.5% had family responsibilities such as taking care of family members, chores, or support family finances.
      • 40.2% had been sick with a cold, the flu, or a sore throat.
      • 40.3% experienced family problems such as financial, legal, health or relationship problems.
      • 47.1% dealt with commiting and transportation issues.
      • 52.7% experienced sleep difficulties.
    • Most students find positive and effective ways to manage stress. However, there may be times when it seems too much to handle. They may benefit from your support.
      • When your student shares about experiences with you, listening will go a long way to helping her or him to get through a personal crisis.
      • Ask and learn what kind of support your student would like from you.
      • Ask what your student plans to do to cope with the situation.
      • Refer your student to the Dean of Students, ASU Health Services or ASU Counseling for assistance with their situation.
  • Promote positive ASU student norms:
    •  46% of ASU students don’t drink alcohol, according to annual surveys of our students. Why is this important? 
    • This information corrects misperceptions about student drinking.
    • These data reinforce positive norms, and affirm that there is a significant proportion of students who enjoy socializing without alcohol.
    • Students in recovery from alcohol and other drugs, and others who choose not to drink, will be glad to know that their decisions are aligned with other students and they are not alone. 
  • Encourage your student to participate in healthy activities like:
    • Community service projects – there are many options available through ASU. Check out the opportunities here.
    • Participate in Outdoor Recreation, Group Fitness Classes, Triathlons, Weight lifting and other programs offered through Sun Devil Fitness.
    • Plan a potluck or attend a cooking class with their students organization, or group of friends.
    • Start their mornings with a workout, yoga or Tai Chi.