College has always been a stressful time for students. It is the first time that they might be living outside of their childhood home, in a new environment, and with heavy pressures to succeed. However, in the past few years, this mental health crisis has seen a sharp increase.
In 2021, over 60% of college students met the criteria for one or more mental illnesses¹. The National College Health Assessment found that nearly 75% of students experienced moderate or severe psychological stress². There are many factors that influence these statistics. In the meantime, colleges are faced with a staggering crisis and are searching for ways to respond and meet the needs of their students.
Let’s take a dive into the current student mental health crisis and what measures colleges are taking in response.
The Causes Behind the Student Mental Health Crisis
One of the first things colleges and mental health professionals have looked for is the reasons for the spike in mental illness among college students. There are a number of contributing factors that may impact college students differently.
COVID-19
The impact of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic cannot be ignored when discussing the student mental health crisis. For some students, the pandemic came in their freshman year and they found themselves in isolation for their first two years of college. Others may have been finishing high school during the pandemic and received a rather inconsistent education as a result, one that little prepared them for college.
Students suffering the effects of long COVID have had to balance chronic physical health issues with the pressures of college. And even now in 2023, there is still considerable anxiety surrounding COVID-19, especially in heavily populated areas such as college campuses. Some students may still feel uncomfortable going to class in person or with so many students unmasked. When these anxieties are invalidated, it can only deepen a sense of unease.
Increased Gun Violence
In the United States, a mass shooting is defined as a shooting in which four or more people are shot and killed or injured, excluding the shooter. In 2022 alone, there were 636 mass shootings throughout the country, and 686 the year before. This is a significant rise from 2019, when there were 410 mass shootings³.
These shootings did not all take place at colleges. In fact, there have been a total of 12 mass shootings at college campuses since the 1960s4. The most recent was a shooting at Michigan State University in February of 2023, in which 3 students were killed and 5 others wounded. But the fear of increased gun violence has increased a fear of public spaces and an anxiety when it comes to attending college classes. There is also a sense of hopelessness at the lack of political change that often follows these instances of mass shootings.
Economic Factors
Whether at a public or private institution, college is expensive. As the issue of national student debt continues to be prominent in political conversations, the stress of finances becomes exacerbated among students. Some worry about their ability to find a job after college in the current economic climate. Others may work an extra job in order to afford college, which cuts into the time they would otherwise have spent studying or socializing. These economic factors can become a source of anxiety and depression for many college students.
Cultural Barriers and Discrimination
College has always been a place where culture clash can occur. Many of these students are interacting with different cultures and identities for the first time. However, current events have also heightened much of the culture barriers. For instance, during the Trump presidency, immigration became an especially divisive issue. Students who were the children of immigrants or immigrants themselves faced higher levels of discrimination.
With discussions in the news and on the Congress floor of LGBTQIA+ rights (especially the rights of trans individuals), disability rights, and racism, those strong opinions can carry over into college classrooms. Unfortunately, many marginalized students face hefty discrimination which can further impede their mental health.
How College Campuses Are Responding
Although most college faculty and administration are not trained mental health professionals, they are often the first to notice if a student is in crisis. Because of this, many colleges are adjusting their training and their resources to better support students through this.
Faculty often undergo sensitivity training or training to detect when a student is struggling with their mental health: a sudden drop in grades, a change in behavior, an overwhelming schedule and so on. From there, they can refer the student to the mental health services that are on campus. Some colleges are also allocating more funds towards the mental health support that they have on staff, which can include individual or group therapy, crisis intervention, and psychiatric services.
Other colleges are attempting to address the mental health crisis by changing the workload that students have to deal with. Professors may offer more flexibility in deadlines or a lighter course load so as not to overburden students. Administration also often promotes wellness programs that can boost mental health through healthier eating, exercise, and stress coping strategies.
The student mental health crisis may look brief, but students may take comfort that they don’t have to go through it alone. If you are in college struggling with your mental health, a licensed therapist or psychiatrist can offer you the support you need. Contact Rivia Mind today to learn more of how we can help you or to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
Reference:
- Trends in college student mental health and help-seeking by race/ethnicity: Findings from the national healthy minds study, 2013–2021 – ScienceDirect
- NCHA-III Fall 2021 Reference Group Executive Summary – The American College Health Association
- Mass Shootings in America – Everytown Research
- Shootings at Colleges: US Statistics – Best Colleges
