“Fine.”

If that’s the only answer ever get from your college student, then it’s time to up your game on what to ask and how to listen.

Letting students know that their mental health is important—not just their grades or resume-builders—helps them understand you aren’t just prying into their lives, but that you genuinely care and understand what a struggle it can be to stay mentally healthy in college.

Picking a time when they aren’t exhausted or running off to the next thing is essential. Accepting that they might reject a question, and not pushing it, is respectful and will set you up for success the next time. It helps to be thoughtful about framing your questions as open-ended—the type which requires more than a yes-or-no answer.

When it comes to talking about issues that impact mental health, it can be challenging to come up with appropriate questions, especially if they are........

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