Co-written by Dan Simmons and Julie Baron.
Current strategies for academic institutions seeking to provide mental health support to students are not working. Although many campuses fund additional mental health care through counseling centers, there is not enough support to reach students more comprehensively. Instead, or indeed in addition, academic institutions need to play to their strengths and impact the students in their classrooms. This is a place where conversations and conversations about mental health can be brought out of the shadows and normalized.
Parents and other caring adults have worked hard to help their teens succeed, but they continue to hear alarming statements from college students.
Why do I feel this way? I hate this. I’m in a mess right now. I’m not going to make new friends. This is not the place for me. I don’t like it here. This is too much. I’m very confused.
A social media thread on hundreds of educational institutions’ parent pages contains thousands of posts and comments from concerned parents, asking:
My child is a few weeks into college and is really struggling. This is very difficult. Do you have any advice?
According to the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment, 36% of college students (almost 60% of gender nonconforming and trans-identifying students) have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, and 28% have reported a diagnosis of depression. Additional reports of students suffering from other mental health disorders.(1) There is an even wider group of people who have not received a formal mental health diagnosis but are suffering in silence without seeking support. These vulnerabilities increase the propensity for problems on college campuses, such as drug overuse, sexual assault, and academic challenges that impact graduation rates. Without the necessary mental health education and support, the most vulnerable and desperate people are at risk of suicidal thoughts, behaviors and attempts. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for teens and young adults ages 10 to 34.(2)
These statistics are alarming and highlight the urgent need for proactive measures on college campuses. Although some institutions have existing “freshman seminar” courses, education on mental health and wellness appears to be minimal or non-existent. Mental health education, along with the social connections and additional mental health supports and resources provided in a group classroom setting, can greatly benefit students. They can:
Expand your understanding of yourself and others. Increase empathy. Reduce isolation. Provide space for necessary expression.
All first-year students can benefit from taking courses that incorporate these concepts and experiences. Normalizing transition-related stress, knowing you are not alone, and learning what to do and how to help others if concerns about more serious mental health conditions arise , can provide peace of mind, reduce stress, and even save lives. These classes would benefit from integrating small group processing, open communication, and space for sharing experiences. In school, you might call this something like “Freshman Psychology 101 in the Mirror” or “Coping with College.”
Many universities have committed to expanding mental health resources and researching ways to introduce more comprehensive mental health supports into school culture. These efforts are important and should continue alongside efforts to break the taboo around talking about mental health in academic classrooms. Many universities have experts ‘in-house’ in both undergraduate and graduate departments in education, social work and psychology, who may be valuable in the research, design and delivery of such courses. . Not investing in leveraging classroom experiences to normalize conversations about mental health and promote understanding of self and others is financially and strategically shortsighted.
Expand the topic of mental health beyond student services, bring it into the classroom, and make it part of the common discussion. Courses like this have the ability to provide strategic, actionable support and build bonds, sending students back to their hallways and dorms and saying, “Oh, I’m not the only one who feels this way! It has the power to give you the opportunity to think. ”Providing all incoming first-year students with the opportunity to learn about and practice managing difficult emotions and experiences together can help everyone, and some may struggle more than others. It brings further benefits to those who cannot afford to do so. With institutional recognition and support from faculty, graduate students, and other student leaders who guide important learning, the message in university culture becomes clear. Together, we know that it’s normal to struggle. ”
A special thank you to Dan Simons, founder and co-owner of Founding Farmers Restaurant Group, for collaborating on this important message.
If you or someone you love is considering suicide, seek help immediately. For assistance, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 by dialing 988 or texting TALK 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. To find a therapist near you, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.
