The Role Of Mental Illness In College Students

College students are diverse in nearly every way. Students from every country of the world seek higher education. Of all the differences between college students around the world, they share one imperative similarity. Change is common to all students who are beginning a new path into education. This change results in many students developing a high level of stress for a variety of reasons. Stress is often the catalyst for developing mental illnesses a person is genetically predisposed to. “Up to 30 percent of adolescents have at least one episode of [depression], and 50 to 75 percent of adolescents with anxiety, impulse control, and hyperactivity disorders develop them during the teenage years” (Iliades). This means that the most likely time
“A 2013 survey of college students found that 57% of women and 40% of men reported experiencing episodes of “overwhelming anxiety” in the past year, and 33% of women and 27% of men reported a period in the last year of feeling so depressed it was difficult to function. Studies suggest that between a quarter and a third of students meet criteria for an anxiety or depressive illness during their college experience.” (Psychology Today). As a group, we were curious as to why college student populations are so saturated with individuals struggling with anxiety and depression. Since 70% of college counseling center directors believe that the number of students with severe psychological issues is rising, a need for mental health awareness and coping with stress is obviously not being met. National Alliance on Mental Illness did a survey on college students showing that 36% of students surveyed who have had a mental health crisis do not seek help because of the stigma associated with mental illness. With more effective mental health awareness, reducing the stigma of mental illness and providing more accessible services, students at Becker College and any other school may be able to lower their chances of developing a debilitating illness or more effectively manage ongoing
Our group was unable to find a school that required students to attend a mental health information session, but that may be knowledge only available to current students at the specific school. Becker College being the only one to require students to attend an information session may seem drastic, but a drastic response is needed to combat the struggles of today’s college students. Students may not appreciate the information at the time, but, students are more likely to seek help when needed if they understand their symptoms, are clearly aware of ways to receive help on campus and if the stigma of mental illness and seeking help are