FALL UPDATE: Mental Health on Campus

Our Friends and Neighbors 

A recent report in the U.K. revealed that not only are universities unable to cope with the increasing numbers of students suffering from mental health conditions but also that students are killing themselves at an alarming (and increasing) rate.  Another report from UniHealth stated that 82% of university students in the UK experience anxiety and stress and 1 in 5 have suicidal thoughts. In Canada, the situation is much the same. Recent results of the National College Health Assessment Survey (NCHA) demonstrate high rates of mental health issues in students. Thinktank Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) released a report showing that a record high 26% of students are utilizing counseling or mental health services, yet this still isn't meeting the need. 

I chose to revisit this topic because these recent reports about college campuses in other countries are a reminder that across the United States, universities are facing a similar student mental health crisis. 85% of college student feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities and 30% report that stress negatively impacts academic performance. Things look even worst at the Post Grad level, Ph.D. Students have twice the risk of developing a psychiatric disorder. This issue needs our continued attention. 

Identifying the Stressors 

As I've noted in previous posts, the number of students reporting mental health concerns in the first year of college has grown dramatically over the last several years and continues to increase.  Academic and financial pressures are crippling students and leading them to unprecedented rates of stress and anxiety. Many students say that the pressure to participate in activities and/or sports while also excelling academically can put them over the edge. In addition, young adults can be unprepared for the stresses of living away from families for the first time while managing school responsibilities and often jobs as well.  

Universities are Taking Aim 

Universities across the country are working to improve behavioral health services for students. UCLA has just launched a large-scale study of college freshman, called the Depression Grand Challenge,  aimed at uncovering the causes of depression. As part of the initiative, the participating freshmen will receive depression screening to help uncover and treat mental health concerns early.  Stanford is similarly screening incoming students for mental health problems with the aim of early diagnosis and treatment of issues.  The University of Pennsylvania reconvened a Student Psychological Health and Welfare task force after a 2016 student suicide, the 14th since 2013. This group recommended expansion of I CARE training, and increasing the hours of their Counseling and Psychological Services hours, among other improvements.  

There is Help

With all of the news from across the country, the United Kingdom, and Canada, it may seem like there is no good way to approach the issue. Below are several different options for students suffering from anxiety, depression, addiction, or other mental health issues.  

• Hotlines
  Some universities have hotlines for students, but there are also national hotlines. 
• Peer support groups & local support groups
  Many universities have set up local peer groups that give students a stigma-free environment to discuss issues.  
• University health & wellness centers
  Many universities now provide counseling services.
• Therapy with licensed counselors, therapists, etc.Finding a local therapist can be a great weekly anchor, enabling students to discuss issues and plan interventions. 
• Online screening  tools
  (While these will not help you manage all the symptoms, they can help you to see if you have symptoms of depression)

Depression is the world's leading cause of disability, according to world health experts and it is believed that 800,000 people commit suicide annually. If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The crisis center provides free and confidential emotional support. If you are in crisis and need help, call this toll-free number, available 24 hours a day, every day: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This service available to anyone. You may call for yourself or for someone you care about, and all calls are confidential. You can also visit the Lifeline’s website at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

If you are feeling anxious or depressed, I am available to help develop coping strategies that will put you on the path to feeling better. I work primarily with college students and young adults. Talking about your issues and developing an action plan can help you to deal with stress and anxiety in a healthier way. 

References

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/robertwhitley/this-year-lets-ensure-students-mental-health-isnt-their-top-worry_a_23192386/https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/college-studentshttp://www.independent.co.uk/student/student-life/health/suicides-rates-double-uk-university-students-134-2015-depression-anxiety-services-overwhelmed-a7925631.html
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/sep/02/suicide-record-level-students-uk-universities-study
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/09/22/depression-major-study-of-college-freshman-kicks-off-at-ucla/
http://www.impactnottingham.com/2017/09/mental-health-concerns-universities/
http://www.thedp.com/article/2017/09/penn-reconvened-its-mental-health-task-force-a-year-ago-heres-what-it-concluded
https://adaa.org/finding-help/helping-others/college-students/facts

Campus Concerns: Mental health impacts dropout rates

In recent headlines, there have been an increasing number of news stories and opinion pieces looking at what’s been called a college mental health crisis by some and an epidemic of mental illness on campus by others.  Whatever you call it, there is certainly a problem with college students and young adults getting adequate access to appropriate mental health care resources.  A study in the Annals of Emergency Medicine noted an increasing number (2.6%) of mental health-related ED visits made by young adults (19-25). This study suggests that a lack of proper mental health resources is to blame for this upswing. Not knowing where to go for mental health related concerns, young people are going to the emergency room with greater frequency. There are also more news and media sources paying attention and drawing important conclusions about the high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression facing young adults today. This increase in the prevalence of mental health conditions is impacting young people during college years and causing problems that have longer lasting effects, leading to an increasing number of dropouts among those suffering from untreated mental health issues.

In 2012, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) compiled a survey of called College Students Speak: A Survey Report on Mental Health. This report looked at the web-based survey responses of 765  young adults who were enrolled in college or had been in the last 5 years who were also diagnosed with a mental health conditions. Important recent news has drawn attention to the dramatic increase in students reporting mental health issues on college campuses across the U.S., and this survey took  a deeper look at the effects.  The report demonstrated that a disheartening byproduct of this lack of appropriate mental health resources for so many young adults is a the inability to handle life’s responsibilities and the subsequent rise in college dropout rates among people ages 16-24. In fact, 64% of the respondents in the NAMI survey were no longer in school, and of those, an overwhelming majority noted that mental health related issues were the cause of this non-attendance. Throughout their lifetimes, women are two times more likely to be depressed making the likelihood that women will experience college dropout higher.

This is alarming news as competition for jobs becomes more intense and the lack of well-paying, long-term positions means that millennials entering the job market need to be more broadly skilled and flexible than any group entering the market in recent history. An education is not the most important thing, but it is an undeniable asset in a tough market, and the results of recent studies demonstrate that those with mental health issues are starting their adult lives and careers at a disadvantage, with higher dropout rates that people who don’t contend with such issues. Reasons for dropouts range from loss of scholarship funds because of mental health leave to inability to resume studies because of chronic mental health conditions. Leaving school may present other concerns for the student. First, they may lose access to the mental health services the university provided. They may also lose the structure of life that university life provided.

It is clear that if making resources available is the most critical factor for struggling students, raising awareness about these resources is a close second in terms of importance.  But how best to achieve all these ends?

Removing barriers to support

In the NAMI Survey, responders note the types of resources that might have helped them stay in school. Campus mental health services, housing, and a number of other accommodations were cited as items that could help support students struggling with mental health issues regain equilibrium and stay in school.

Investing in mental health services on campus, is clearly a wise choice for universities and colleges, as I have noted in previous articles on this subject. In addition, when colleges partner with local providers and spread the word to students about resources using social media, outreach programs, handouts in health centers, and the school’s website to help promote increased access to services, everyone wins. Many students have reported not being aware of services in place to help them, so getting the word out, is vital. Linking students to services, whether they are financial, medical, or other support services can truly change the course of their futures.

Many students are not aware that mental health issues can be considered disabilities and that they may be able to get access to mental health providers and additional accommodations through the Disability Resource Center (DRC). Reaching out to students who are struggling can mean the difference between staying in school and dropping out. Some other critical accommodations for students facing mental health issues are:

• Making exceptions and excusing absences for mental health treatment
• Extensions for homework assignments and papers
• Test-taking adjustments
• Allowing students to withdraw from courses without penalties
• Medical leaves for students with mental health conditions
• Helping students with the paperwork necessary to get help
• Working to stamp out stigma associated with mental health issues

We are living in times of tremendous change. Giving students all the help we can to help them succeed is more important than it ever has been as the career certainties that older generations relied upon evaporate, making way for new ways of making a living and navigating society.  

Sincerely,

Dr. Eileen Wynne

Reference:

https://www.nami.org/getattachment/About-NAMI/Publications-Reports/Survey-Reports/College-Students-Speak_A-Survey-Report-on-Mental-Health-NAMI-2012.pdf

https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200505/the-new-college-dropout

http://www.behavioral.net/news-item/young-adults-still-going-er-mental-illnesses

http://www.collegedegreesearch.net/student-suicides/

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/stress-less-stigma-drives-college-students-mental-health-services/

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/02/education/edlife/stress-social-media-and-suicide-on-campus.html?_r=0

http://ccmh.psu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3058/2015/02/2014-CCMH-Annual-Report.pdf

Fighting for the Future: Students in Virginia Help Make Mental Health Resources Available to Everyone

As I noted in my previous blog on this subject, over the last decade, there has been a dramatic rise in mental health issues for students nationwide.  With a quarter of 18-24 year olds estimated to have diagnosable mental illnesses, we really do appear to be having a mental health crisis. An increasing number of colleges and universities are taking positive and responsible action to ensure the safety and well-being of students by setting up mental health centers and providing students with information about additional mental health resources. Still, the relatively limited reach of a university mental health center may not be enough for some students, particularly if they don’t even know the center exists. 

Coping with mental health problems can be extra challenging for emerging adults. Furthermore, dealing with things like anxiety and depression can be downright debilitating without the proper resources. To date, even at colleges and universities where there is a dedicated staff of counselors and psychologists available to offer services through student health centers, the  lingering stigma attached to mental health and the fact that students remain unaware that these resources exist, prevent many students from getting the help they need.

With all of this seemingly negative news on the subject, it is refreshing and inspiring to know that a group of students at UVa (University of Virginia), called the Young Legislators of Tomorrow, brought this issue to the attention of lawmakers in their state. The group introduced a Bill (House BIll 206) requiring universities to provide more and better information about mental health resources to students. 

In 2014, this legislation passed in the House 99-0, making it a huge win for those determined young people trying to raise awareness and make the world a better place for the students coming after them. It is also a victory for all the future students who will be better able to find the help they need as a result. 

According to Virginia’s Legislative Information System, the summary of the bill is as follows: Four-year public institutions of higher education; mental health resources. Requires each four-year public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth to create and feature on its website a page with information dedicated solely to the mental health resources available to students at the institution. (The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2015.)

The combination of the stigma attached to mental health problems and students’ lack of familiarity with the resources available to them has allowed many to suffer needlessly. Thanks to this group of students, the awareness part of that problem is going to be significantly minimized in the future.

Sincerely,

Dr. Eileen Wynne

References:

http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/As-Mental-Health-Issues-Rise-at-UVa-Students-Take-Action-246992811.html

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?141+sum+HB206

http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?141+sum+HB206

http://college.usatoday.com/2015/01/27/one-students-fight-for-mental-health-awareness-inspires-a-movement/

http://www.activeminds.org/issues-a-resources/mental-health-resources

Resource Report: More Universities Provide Mental Health Services

After reading a recent article focusing on Tulane's concerns over the rise in mental health problems among students and other similar articles about the “mental health crisis” among university students and the staggering increase in anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions on campuses nationwide, I thought I would write about the resources that are available to students at more and more college and university campuses across the country.  At an ever-increasing number of schools, mental health centers are popping up and providing students with important resources for coping with stress and anxiety, as well as dealing with larger issues. Universities administering psychological support to students is a big step forward, though still a relatively new practice.

Why the focus on better mental health for students?

It is widely accepted that those entering college today are significantly more likely to struggle with mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Over the last decade, the increase has been marked. In 2014, the National Survey of College Counseling Centers noted that 94% of college counselors say that they have observed increasing numbers of students with severe psychological problems. The National Alliance on Mental Illness says that 3/4 of cases of mental health conditions begin by age 24 and over 25% of college students have been treated by a mental health professional in the past year. These statistics are a real wake up call. Not only do conditions such as anxiety and depression seriously impede academic performance, they can, in extreme situations, be deadly. Suicide is the number three cause of death on college campuses. 

What is causing this crisis?

There are a number of cultural factors that are contributing to the crisis in mental health of emerging adults. Some suggest that the ever-changing religious and unstable political climates and the breakdown of traditional family structure are key contributors. Others believe it has something to do with students attending schools farther from home. Regardless of the cause, it is a fact that students are suffering and struggling and as the surrogate caretakers of these young adults, colleges and universities are shouldering much of the responsibility for the mental health care of students. 

The approach and services

The rise of university mental health services in recent years marks a tremendous leap forward in terms of awareness and treatment for students who are struggling. Hopefully, it also indicates less stigma being attached to mental health issues than in the past. In campus mental health centers, care is often provided by mental health professionals including: psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and clinical social workers.

A quick survey of campus mental health centers across the U.S. shows that some of the typical programs & treatments available include:

• Tools for coping with stress and anxiety
• Counseling for depression, eating disorders, and other mental health issues
• Mind body centers
• Alcohol & drug treatment
• Sexual assault counseling
• Self assessment tools
• Group therapy
• Crisis hotlines
• Outreach programs

Unfortunately, for individuals dealing with major mental health conditions, the limited services available through college and university mental health centers may not provide sufficient support. Typically, in such situations, these centers can provide a point of contact with the community, giving students expanded resources. Unfortunately, though there are more resources today than in the past, there are not nearly enough professionals to meet student needs. An opinion article penned by a college student in Irvine demonstrated that there was 1 mental health professional to every 1700 students at her college. This kind of ratio is fairly standard. I can only hope that by discussing and writing about the issue and raising awareness, we can get more professionals in these centers to help students. 

Stop by next month, we will further discuss this topic. 

References:
http://news.yahoo.com/tulane-s-mental-health-meltdown-144028239.html

http://www.newuniversity.org/2015/04/opinion/demand-for-mental-health-resources-on-campus-highlights-inadequate-resources/

http://cmhc.utexas.edu/whatwedo.html

http://yalehealth.yale.edu/mentalhealth

http://www.uhs.umich.edu/mentalhealthsvcs

http://www2.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Find_Support/NAMI_on_Campus1/Learn_About_The_Issue/Learn_About_The_Issue.htm