Parenting Pep Talk: Rethinking College Students’ Mental Health
Recent advances in education and treatment have made college more accessible to students with ADHD, autism, anxiety and depressive disorders, and other conditions that can make school challenging. This upward shift in enrollment is encouraging and should mean that many capable minds will have a chance at success in college. It also means that the demand for mental health services has increased, putting a strain on counseling center resources. Thirty-two percent of college counseling centers reported having a waiting list at some point during the school year, according to the 2013 Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors survey. When students in need lack access to mental health services, the students, their peers, family, and colleges and universities themselves suffer. Here is why we all need to pay attention to this growing population.
Students: Almost one-third of students who seek mental health services have seriously considered suicide at some point in their lives, according to Dr. Ben Locke, who directs the Center for Collegiate Mental Health at Pennsylvania State University, an organization that collects data from more than 263 college or university mental health facilities. And that number leaves out the students who consider suicide but do not seek services for whatever reason. Even non-suicidal students who struggle emotionally are at risk for adverse consequences like dropping out of school. Providing services that help students manage their depression, anxiety, and relationship issues can help them focus on academics and learn new ways to function in the world, according to Dr. Louise Douce of Ohio State University.
Peers and family: It’s essential that all students, not only those with mental health concerns, understand the importance of mental health. According to a 2011 study (Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease), 78 percent of students with mental health problems first receive counseling or support from friends, family, or other nonprofessionals. Imagine the emotional ramifications for friends and family who try to help a friend or relative who don’t succeed.
Colleges and universities: College retention rate is one of the primary indicators of operating a successful institution – one where people want to stay and are succeeding, according to economist Dr. Daniel Eisenberg. Eisenberg promotes the use of a formula for calculating the economic case for student mental health services, but he doesn’t disqualify the importance these services play in alleviating suffering. Students who participate in mental health services report improvements in quality of life satisfaction, which can be an even better predictor of student retention than grade point average.
What is being done? Despite financial restrictions, counseling centers recognize the immediate need for services and are developing quick screening tools to differentiate those who could benefit from a single therapy session from those who need more intensive care. They are also trying innovative ways to connect students to therapy resources sooner, such as at the University of Florida where they launched their Therapy Assisted Online (TAO) program to deliver therapy to students with anxiety disorders via computer or smartphone. Programs such as these are promising partly because students are so connected with their devices and also because these programs can check in with students more regularly than weekly therapists can. Colleges and universities are also attempting to infuse psychological concepts into the classroom and community via presentations and exhibitions. The growing need for mental health services in the college population is undeniable. If higher-education intuitions continue to think outside the box and involve peers and the community we all stand to benefit.
Dr. Jaime Black is a licensed psychologist practicing in Westchester and New York City. Jaime works with high-functioning individuals on the autism spectrum, doing psychotherapy, conducting evaluations, and facilitating various socialization groups including an improv social skills group. Visit www.spectrumservicesnyc.com, e-mail JaimeBlackPsyD@gmail.com or call (914)712-8208.
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