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

How Peer Support Can Increase Student Mental Health

A number of great interventions for improving student mental health have been gaining recognition lately.  Among them, increased mental health services in schools and universities, links to off-campus therapists, anti-stigma campaigns, and numerous efforts at raising awareness of mental health issues.

One helpful strategy for improving mental health that has not gotten as much attention as it deserves is peer support. A number of peer support programs are popping up across the country and throughout the U.K. and Canada, with the aim of filling some of the gaps in mental health support for university students. Particularly on campus where counseling staff and other providers struggle to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for mental health services, peer support is another tool to help students cope with stress and anxiety.

State of Emergency

About 13% of young people suffer from mental health issues ranging from anxiety and depression to ADHD and other disorders that can impact them well into adulthood. While some stress is normal, youth ages 15-19 experience the highest rates of emerging depression of any age group. These issues are often exacerbated by the move from high school to college. Recent research has uncovered the fact that 6% of undergrads and 4% of grad students consider suicide while attending university.

How Peer Support Can Help

In the mental health world, peer support programs allow individuals who have already experienced a high level of recovery, to assist others who are not as far along on their journey. Peer supporters use their experiences and successes to help others navigate mild mental health issues. The idea behind peer support in universities is similar. Connecting with peer supporters or mentors can help students feel less alone. It is natural for young people to reach out to friends when they are struggling, but if one has just moved to a new city to attend college, it can be easy to feel swept up in a sea of new faces. Peer support can ground new students and give them a sense of familiarity, someone to ask when they have questions, or even just someone to vent to when they feel overwhelmed. Those who have received support can later return the favor by helping other students. This creates a support network that can benefit everyone involved.  

Peer support can be particularly helpful in the case of first generation college students whose parents are not as adept at offering support as they move through the maze of financial aid paperwork, online course registration, dorm room selection, and maneuvering around campus (or even a new town). Is such cases, peer support can make all the difference. Having the ear and support of someone who has experience with university life and who also understands the stress factors unique to a college student can be reassuring and beneficial.

Making Mental Wellness a Priority

Demand for mental health services is at an all-time high. The evidence is clear: we are experiencing a mental health crisis. The more resources young people have available to them, the better their chances of overcoming anxiety and depression. While peer support cannot replace the help of an experienced mental health professional, it can help ease the stress of transition and provide an extra level of support for individuals struggling with anxiety. Reaching out to others is an important step toward greater wellness.

Sincerely,

Eileen Wynne PhD

References:
http://www.ibtimes.com/how-help-college-students-experiencing-mental-distress-including-suicidal-thoughts-2577859
http://www.thepublicopinion.com/neighbors/spotting-mental-health-issues-in-college-students/article_fb609538-7ea5-11e7-ad32-4fe92fbee05b.html

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