The University of St. Thomas will hire more on-campus counselors in an effort to increase mental health awareness. According to Counseling Services Director Steve Maurer, the decision comes off an “increased sense of urgency” to talk about mental health . For example, an annual CCMH report found an increase in the number of rapid counseling services in 2016. The report also found that mental health issues such as depression represents a growing prevalence among college students nationwide. This raises a number of implications for mental health treatment among college campuses. As a result, we must assess statistical information on mental health. Additionally, it’s important to understand what universities are doing to address behavioral issues at the national level.
Mental Health Statisttics
It goes without saying that academic environments can become overwhelming for students. With an abundance of decisions involving majors, jobs, and social expectations, it’s no why wonder behavioral issues have increased. The same goes for teenagers and youth. An example of youth-related health issues comes from Mental Health America. According to their data, 12% of youths (12-17) suffered from one major depressive episode in the past year. In addition, 63% of those with major depression did not receive any mental health treatment. Overall, while these numbers don’t assess college demographics, they do provide some basis for behavioral concerns nationwide.
Mental Health Treatment
Fortunately, colleges and universities across the country have begun to incorporate mental health into overall care. Specifically, those first-step initiatives come in the form of accommodations and on-campus support. For example, accommodations involve extended periods for assignments as well as registration with a disability center. Likewise, more universities have begun implementing support through counseling centers and campus organizations. Research also shows that 86% of students with a psychiatric disorder dropped out. Ultimately, Saint Thomas’ decision in expanding their services by bringing in more counselors is representative of an increased focus on incorporating mental health into overall care.
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Sources
Gustadson, A. (2018, September 5). St. Thomas Working to Address Mental Health Issues https://news.stthomas.edu/st-thomas-working-to-address-mental-health-issues-for-young-adults/
Center for Collegiate Mental Health. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.nccpsafety.org/assets/files/library/CCMH_2017_Annual_Report.pdf
Youth Data. (n.d). Retrieved from http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/issues/mental-health-america-youth-data
College Students with psychological impairments. (2005). Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/apr05/impairments.aspx
