A mental health crisis is sweeping colleges nationwide. “During the 2020–2021 school year, more than 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem, according to the Healthy Minds Study, which collects data from 373 campuses nationwide”(apa.org).
The increase in mental health diagnoses has made the latest generation of college students more aware than their predecessors of when to seek help. However, the availability of this help fluctuates from college to college. Some institutions have excellent counseling and psychiatric services, others less so.
An anonymous survey was sent to college students nationwide to pinpoint the weaknesses and areas of improvement in treating mental health at their respective institutions. An anonymous student explained the issue within their campus, stating, “If you say you are struggling with mental health, they(professors) do not value it as a “sickness” or an “illness”. It’s basically “get up and move on” which is very unfortunate as I struggled with mental health this semester”. Higher educational facilities are expected to prioritize the experience of their students and give them the best chances of future success. However, the lack of understanding in many universities puts students at a disadvantage.
Despite this, many colleges have implemented additional mental health resources to further aid students. Dr. Ariane Newman, the Associate Provost for Academic Success at Stockton University, spoke about the variety of mental health facilities and resources around Stockton’s campuses. “The university has Will, a telehealth program that provides immediate service to students needing support. In addition, there is our Counseling and Psychological Services office where students can meet with counselors on a walk-in or scheduled basis. The office provides group, and individual counseling and psychiatric services”. Stockton is additionally creating a wellness room, providing students with a safe space to meet with clinicians and other mental health personnel. They are in the process of becoming a JED Campus一an initiative by The Jed Foundation “to build on existing student mental health, substance abuse, and suicide prevention efforts”(sprc.org).
Stockton also has a grant to provide services to students through community partners, professional development to aid faculty and staff in supporting students who are struggling, and support for staff mental health.
Jenai Copeland, former Post MSW Fellow at the University of North Carolina: Chapel Hill’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and Staff Clinician at Towson University’s Counseling Center, elaborated on the mental health programs at the respective schools. She mentioned Triage or Same Day Counseling Sessions, weekly individual, couples, and group therapy, referral coordination, and collaboration with resident halls and the community to give students the best possible care. She also led various therapy groups, including First in the Family for first-generation students, Road to Resilience for students on Academic Probation, and Taming Your Inner Critic.
These universities welcome students to “receive free, confidential, mental health services within their counseling centers on campus or virtually”, according to Copeland. “Towson University also offered massage chairs, an open classroom, Firepit Fridays, and a meditation room in their Counseling Center”, she stated.
Many colleges and universities have also established anonymous forms and helplines for students in need through their Student Outreach and Support Offices. These are open to students, staff, family, and friends. Some universities also assist students through Accessibility and Disability Services with residential accommodations, modified due dates, assistive technology, extended time on testing, environments with reduced distractions, emotional support and service animals, and many other resources. These are on a case-by-case basis and are tailored to each student.
These newfound resources and programs are majorly aiding students. However, they are not without their flaws. One anonymous student highlighted that due to high demand and understaffing, each student gets a limited number of visits to their counselor per semester. “I maxed out my six visits last semester and it was super frustrating because I felt like I somehow wasn’t allowed to be mentally ill anymore”. These limits may be necessary to accommodate as many students as possible, but leave many still struggling.
Many students also divulged that not all college therapists and counselors are helpful to students. Some are “often untrained and unequipped with the right tools to truly help the students, and often leave you feeling worse than before”. This lack of expertise in needed areas of support can leave many students hopeless, struggling, and drawn away from the very guidance supposed to help them. Students and staff alike expressed a need for colleges to hire a more diverse staff and invest in the right people. “It is essential for colleges to be intentional in hiring and retaining a diverse staff that provides representation for the variety of students they serve”, Copeland voiced.
Colleges and universities are paving the way to support students through their various storms and crises in any way they can. Although faulty, with further advertisement, professional development, and expansion in support, they will be able to aid students and staff alike through every strike of lightning or crack of thunder they endure.
Mental health is universal. It impacts everyone, whether you’re a high school or college student, a teacher, or a professor. The undercurrents of high schools and colleges are more similar than one would expect, with many of the same issues in terms of mental health treatment. These issues have to be addressed as soon as possible. If high schools and colleges are meant to feed the minds of tomorrow, they must feed their soil today.
Remember how much you’ve gone through. College is filled with so many changes, and it is so important to give yourself grace and remember how far you’ve come.
No one should feel alone, unseen, unheard, or invalid in what they are feeling and going through. There are so many resources available within colleges and throughout the community to aid those who are struggling with mental health. If you are struggling, do not be afraid to reach out for help. Whether it’s filling out a self-referral form, finding a therapist, or simply reaching out to a friend or professor. It only takes one small step to get the support you need.
