New research suggests that there is a greater need for mental health services on college and university campuses. According to the 2013 National College Health Assessment, approximately one-third of U.S. college students had symptoms of depression or anxiety that affected their daily functioning in the past 12 months. Additionally, a report from the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH) located on the Pennsylvania State University campus stated that more than 30 percent of students who are looking for mental health services have reported that they have seriously considered suicide at one point in their lives, which has increased from the 24 percent in 2010. With this growing trend there is a push to increase and improve the services available on campuses nationwide. Louise Douce, PhD (special assistant to the vice president of student life at Ohio State University) said, “Students who struggle are more likely to drop out of school, but by providing services for their anxiety, depression and relationship issues, we can help manage these issues, focus on their academics and learn new ways to be in the world.” Unfortunately, 32 percent of mental health services have reported that due to the influx many individuals are placed on waiting lists.
The increase in the demand for services is due to two main reasons. The first is simply that more individuals are attending college. Therefore, the population within colleges and universities is moving towards what we see in the general public. The second is students who typically would not have attended college previously due to mental illness are now able to attend thanks to improved treatment and medications. However, even with the research and demand, colleges and universities are hesitant to give additional funding to mental health services on campuses. What colleges want to see is a return on their investment. Economics professor Daniel Eisenberg, PhD, from the University of Michigan has researched that investing in mental health services decreases the likelihood of drop out, which protects schools tuition revenue. A better predictor than grade point average for drop out is student’s quality of life. Generally, students who have utilized mental health services on their campus report an improvement in their quality of life.
Novotney, A. (2014, September). Students under pressure. Monitor on Psychology, 45(8). Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/09/cover-pressure.aspx