The College Student’s Guide to Mental Health

Essential Wellness Strategies for Flourishing in College

For every college student who wants to learn accessible and practical mental health skills ... all in one book.

Written to help students prioritize their mental health and thrive in college. Essential for every student as well their families and the professionals who support them!

Wherever you buy books, including:

Media.

  • Good Morning America

    Mia was interviewed about the practical approaches to college mental health for students and their families.

    Good Morning America interview

  • Student Affairs NOW

    This podcast covers the common mental health challenges that students face and how institutions and individuals can utilize Mia’s book to create actionable, practical strategies to help.

    Student Affairs NOW podcast

  • Who The folk?!

    On this podcast affiliated with TC Jewfolk, we talk about what led to writing this book, how long it took, and some of the challenges facing college students and adolescents. Also Mia’s favorite Jewish holiday…

    Who The folk?! podcast

  • Blue Zones

    “8 Things You Can Do Right Now to Downshift and De-stress” - chapter 5 was excerpted by Blue Zones to support the principle of taking down time.

    Blue Zones article

  • SAPBLA 2nd Thursday Forum

    An engaging discussion about student mental health held at the Saint Anthony Park Library, moderated by Dr. Melissa Lundquist.

    link to SAPBLA interview

  • MinnPost

    “[Nosanow] saw an audience of young people who might not be interested in dense prose focused on psychological theories but could use a book that offered clear tips, advice and strategies for bolstering their own mental health.” (Andy Steiner, January 2024)

    MinnPost article

  • Booklist

    “Students and the parents who love them will find useful, even life-saving advice in this valuable guide to staying mentally and physically healthy during college. Readers are in expert hands with Nosanow….” (Karen Springen, January 2024)

    Booklist article

    pdf of Booklist article

  • Park Bugle

    “As a therapist to thousands of students for individual and group counseling, Nosanow noticed that roughly half of the issues students were bringing to her fell into the category of mental health and wellness...” (John Horchner, April 2024)

    Park Bugle article

  • Children’s Literature

    "A must have for any student embarking on their college experience. . . . a good resource for high school guidance counselors and parents.”

    pdf of Children’s Literature review

  • Midwest Book Review (Reviewer’s Choice)

    “Highly recommended.”

    pdf of Midwest Book Review

Endorsements.

  • “This book could not come at a better time for the many American college students who struggle with mental health issues. Mia’s decades of experience, graceful prose and easy to follow format makes this the perfect companion for any student heading off to or already in college.”

    —Dan Buettner, National Geographic Fellow and #1 New York Times bestselling author and founder of Blue Zones

  • “If you want clear and effective tools to stay balanced and focused, and even to thrive, during college, then include The Other Side of College on your reading list. It is highly recommended!”

    —Henry Emmons, MD, author of The Chemistry of Joy and The Chemistry of Calm

  • “Mia Nosanow knows college students and knows how to help them thrive in college. This book will be a huge asset for students trying to live their best lives while in college. I can’t wait to read the whole thing!”

    —Holly Rogers, MD, Co-founder, The Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults, author of The Mindful Twentysomething, formerly, Staff Psychiatrist at Duke University’s Counseling and Psychological Services

  • “Having worked with Mia for over 10 years, I know she is the real deal. Generations of students were supported by her compassion, intuition, and experience, and I'm sure this book will benefit many more.”

    —Jim Hoppe, PhD, Vice President and Dean for Student Life, Emerson College, MA

  • “Young adults often assume that everyone else has these things figured out and feel flawed or deficient when they struggle. This book is just the resource that many students have been seeking! Mia Nosanow has decades of experience developing trusting relationships with students and helping them navigate the challenges of being human. Her insights and guidance will provide readers valuable opportunities to build skills and increase confidence.”

    —Robin Hart Ruthenbeck, EdD, Dean of Student Development, Kenyon College

  • “The College Student’s Guide to Mental Health is a timely and important guidebook that speaks to the diversity of identities, experiences, and coping strategies of college students today. This book will be a powerful resource for any student navigating the complexities of college life. And it is definitely a “must-read” for staff and faculty on college campuses.”

    —Karla Benson Rutten, Founder and CEO, Benson Rutten Innovations LLC, and Executive Director, Jeremiah Program St. Paul, MN

  • “Thoughtful, comprehensive, and accessible, The College Student's Guide to Mental Health is a must read for college students seeking to thrive during their college years and beyond, and for families wanting to be good guides for their student’s wellbeing and emerging adulthood. Nosanow provides a roadmap for the often missed hidden curriculum of the college experience—teaching students how to take care of themselves. I’d recommend it to all students and families at my university!”

    —Lisa Landreman, PhD, Vice President of Student Affairs, Willamette University

  • “The College Student's Guide to Mental Health is the book that students going to college and in college need to read! The focus on staying mentally healthy in college will also help students after college. The skills and tools gained by applying what the author says will surely provide a pathway for students to engage in their college journeys with joy.”

    —DeMethra LaSha “Sha” Bradley, EdD, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Scripps College

  • “The College Student’s Guide to Mental Health is an incredibly helpful and thoughtful resource for those wishing to better understand mental health during a time of constant transition. This is a must-read for not only students, parents, and families, but also those who work at colleges and universities. There are many right answers for solving the same challenge. This book is the permission everyone needs to begin that discernment process and focus on personal well-being.”

    —Carolyn H. Livingston, Ph.D. , Vice President for Student Life, Dean of Students, Carleton College

  • “More than ever, young adults are struggling with their mental health. This book provides helpful information and easy-to-use tools. It stresses the importance of things they can control — sleep, nutrition, movement — along with techniques to deal with stress and anxiety. I would recommend that parents buy this book and slip into their student’s room as they go through college.”

    —Sue Abderholden, MPH, Executive Director, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Minnesota

  • “The College Student’s Guide to Mental Health is an incredible resource for our students. The fact that it is written by a licensed psychologist who has direct experience working with college students makes it practical and relatable. During these times where mental health issues are on the rise for our students, this resource comes to us when we need it most.”

    —Laurie Scolari, Ed.D., Vice President of Student Services, Foothill College

Events.

HOW COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES CAN USE THIS BOOK

We’ve spoken to hundreds of school administrators - Deans of Students, VPs of Student Affairs, College Counseling Center Directors, Orientation professionals - about ways they might use the book. So many good ideas have emerged, including:

  • Give the book to every first year at Orientation; can be presented as a part of a health-and-wellness package, and to “level the playing field” and signal both health equity and support for mental health.

  • Adopt as a textbook for First Year Experience classes.

  • Leverage for training with R.A.s, Orientation leaders, staff and others who interface with students. A lot of interest in using with parents too!

  • Launch campus-wide education and mental health awareness, providing the book not only to students, but also to faculty and staff - create a campus-wide language and baseline.

  • Use for group sessions - in the counseling center or peer driven; take a chapter a month for group discussions.

To learn more about partnerships and discounted pricing for institutions, contact mianosanowauthor@gmail.com

Learn how other campuses are using the book (pdf)

Mia Nosanow, MA, LP is a licensed psychologist and mental health therapist who specializes in college students. For 20 years, Mia worked as a mental health counselor at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, one of the most culturally diverse undergraduate colleges in the United States, with students from every state and 99 countries. She has been a therapist to thousands of students for individual and group counseling. She holds a BA from Carleton College and an MA in Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology from the University of Minnesota. She is the mother of two adult sons, and lives with her husband in St. Paul.