As a former college professor, I’m quite aware that the stresses that college students face are very real. These challenges include being away from the support of family, academic pressure, limited money, lack of sleep and rest, frequent exposure to alcohol and drugs, and striving for independence as young adults.
Recent data show that as many as 36% of US college students in 2017 had been diagnosed at some point with a mental health condition. This reflects a sizeable increase from just ten years earlier, when 22% of students were diagnosed.
Another significant change during the same ten-year period is that the number of college students who received any therapy or medication for mental health concern rose from 19% in 2007 to 34% in 2017. A related finding of concern was growing amounts of depression and suicidal thoughts among college students.
It’s difficult to explain these large increases. While one hyptothesis is that more students are having mental health concerns, another likely possibility is that more students now feel more comfortable in asking for help than in the past.
As a result, colleges have been seeing greatly increased demand for mental health services by students in recent years. College counseling centers, typically seen as the mainstay for campus-based mental health services, because their services are free to students, have struggled to meet the surge in demand. Many have significantly increased their number of counselors to be able to see a larger number of students.
While college counseling centers continue to play a critical and central role in meeting the mental health needs of college students, it’s helpful to be aware of other mental health resources available on campus, online, or other organizations which focus on young adult mental health needs. Let’s take a quick look at some of these helpful resources.
Campus student health services. Many campus provide additional mental health services through the school’s student health service. Fees for these services are greatly reduced for students, who typically pay a student health fee as part of their required fees for college. Some student health clinics have psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners on staff to prescribe medications for common concerns such as depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Mental health therapists may also provide brief counseling services.
NAMI on Campus. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has affiliate chapters for college students on many campuses throughout the US. These clubs provide an outlet for students to work together to reduce stigma and provide outreach and education about mental health on campus. NAMI of course, provides a wealth of additional services to supports not only people with mental illness, but their friends and family.
Active Minds. This organization has hundreds of chapters in colleges (and high schools!) around the country. Their mission is: “Through education, research, advocacy, and a focus on students and young adults ages 14–25, Active Minds is opening up the conversation about mental health and creating lasting change in the way mental health is talked about, cared for, and valued in the United States.” They offer many programs and services to help raise awareness and to provide education about mental health issues and treatment resources.
The Jed Foundation. A central focus for this organization is to help schools evaluate and strengthen mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention programming and systems. They have many excellent college-focused programs and initiatives to assist students and their families to have better mental health.
The Trevor Project. This well-established organization provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25. Their website contains many helpful education and treatment resources, including links to local awareness events.
Sources of Strength. This organization’s mission is to “provide the highest quality evidence-based prevention for suicide, violence, bullying and substance abuse by training, supporting, and empowering both peer leaders and caring adults to impact their world through the power of connection, hope, help and strength.” They have offered programs in several states in the US and in parts of Canada.
Mental Health America. This national organization is known for a wealth of programs related to advocacy and education around mental health issues. Their “Life On Campus” program specifically targets mental health needs of college students and provides a number of useful resource materials and links.
To Write Love On Her Arms. This mental health advocacy organization has “UChapters” on many college campuses. Similar to some of the other groups discussed above, they strive to educate and increase awareness about mental health and link people with local mental health resources.
The resources I’ve listed are only helpful if you use them. Take some time to explore and take advantage of the many free programs, educational materials and local groups they offer. Remember, if you are struggling, you’re not alone and help is available.
Here’s a question: What other college mental health resources have you found helpful? Please leave a comment. Also, please subscribe to my blog and feel free to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram, “like” my Facebook page, or connect on LinkedIn. Finally, if you enjoyed this post, please share it with a friend.