By Lynn Berry
Mental health issues on college campuses are more prevalent than ever. The United States has seen a large increase in students that are struggling with depression or anxiety. The financial burdens and academic pressure placed on students have created many stressful situations. If we want to create environments where students can feel good about themselves, we should take action towards improving mental health support on college campuses.
What’s Happening on Campus?
(Photo by Lynn Berry)
The college experience is normally depicted as exciting and free, however, college students are not always having a great time. According to Manhattan Mental Health Counseling statistics, at least 76% of college students report having “moderate to severe psychological stress.” Unfortunately, also due to COVID-19, these issues have increased and have stayed high in numbers since then.
The major pressure to succeed academically paired with the overwhelming feeling of their future being dependent on opportunities hinders students tremendously. Students are also struggling with financial issues while in school and may not have the support they need. A study released by Forbes revealed that 51% of students report financial difficulties when in college. The cost of tuition, housing and other expenses are on the rise this year.
Marginalized students, such as students of color or students a part of the LGBTQ community, also often face mental health struggles. There is discrimination, lack of representation and isolation within these communities on campus. DCPS Mental Health states that, “loneliness affects 53% of students in marginalized communities.” These students may be hesitant to seek professional help from fear of being judged.
Most colleges and universities do offer some type of mental health support but sometimes these resources are not enough. Accessibility and understaffing are two major problems with the resources available. There should not be long waiting periods for an appointment with a counselor or have a counselor who does not understand the unique needs of a student. Mental health services should be more closely integrated with academic support, as struggles with mental well being often contribute to declining academic performance and create additional challenges for students.
Solutions to Improve Mental Health Support on Campuses
Universities and colleges should go further than simply offering counseling services for students. They need to actively work towards creating a safe space for students to share their issues. Here are some ways that colleges can help:
- Increase the funding for mental health services: Sometimes counseling centers can become overwhelmed with demand which leads to longer waiting times. Increasing the funding for these mental health services will allow more institutions to hire more staff and expand their services.
- Flexible counseling options: There should be a variety of services for counseling within a university or college. Especially in larger schools. Providing flexible options for students would help with their busy schedules or work commitments. It ensures that all students have the support that they need and can reach out to a service that is most comfortable for them.
- Safe spaces and support groups: Safe spaces on campus where students can openly discuss their problems are a must. Identity specific groups such as, LGBTQ+ and students of color, can greatly benefit from these support groups. Identity specific groups can provide the unique support that these groups need.
What Next?
Declining mental health on college campuses is not an issue that can be ignored. This topic has been talked about for years yet the mental health of students is only getting worse by the year. More needs to be done to ensure that all students have access to the support that they need. Colleges and universities should take action and recognize that a student’s mental health is very important for academic success.
Creating a culture beyond colleges and universities that normalizes conversations about mental health is important as well. Integrating mental health conversations into everyday life on campus and off campus can help take the pressure of talking about mental health struggles off of students. Increasing resources for students allows us to work towards a future where college students do not have to make a choice between their education and their mental health. College is a place of growth, change, and opportunity, and students’ mental well being should not get in the middle of that. Universities and faculty should play a role in reshaping how mental health is addressed on college campuses.