The Mental Health Crisis Among College Students
On the eleventh of March, 2020, the World Health Organization officially declared the coronavirus a global pandemic, sending the entire world into a lockdown. The terrible repercussions that have followed in the year since the deadly outbreak extends far beyond the deaths of more than three million individuals. In addition to the damaging physical side-effects caused by the disease, COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on the mental health of millions. Among this group in particular, are young college students. This article examines the alarming rise in mental health issues among college students in the United States as a result of the global pandemic.
Even in normal circumstances, college can be an extremely stressful environment. Students are forced to juggle piling workloads from their courses, deal with the pressure of success, and navigate new social interactions all while often living on their own for the first time. As a result, it is not uncommon for students to encounter mental health challenges during the course of their college education. A survey conducted by the Healthy Minds study network prior to the pandemic in 2015, showed that 36% of students that participated in the survey screened positive for mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or even suicidal thoughts.
An already worrying figure in its own right, the same study conducted more recently, during the pandemic, revealed even more alarming results. Sarah Kitchen Lipson, the co-principal investigator of the survey and mental health researcher at Boston University says “Half of students in fall 2020 screened positive for depression and/or anxiety,” a significant increase in mental health issues from the survey conducted a few years ago. Lipson and her team of researchers at the Healthy Minds Network aren’t the only ones noticing a disturbing trend. The JED foundation, a non-profit organization meant to raise awareness regarding the mental health of young adults and prevent suicides, published a study in October that polled nearly 200 undergraduate and graduate students all over the country. The infographic below breaks down some of their results and highlights the current mental health crisis among college students.
The infographic and the survey from the JED foundation bring to light some concerning increases in mental health issues since the coronavirus outbreak. Nearly two-thirds of participants in the study expressed having feelings of depression and loneliness as a result of isolation. Given this and the importance of a healthy mind, it is unsurprising that 62% of students indicated having repeated issues of being unable to concentrate on their studies. Of the nearly 200 polled, a staggering 82% revealed struggling with anxiety during this period. While, as previously stated, college is an already stressful environment, the pandemic has clearly compounded the amount of stress and anxiety students are feeling and has greatly affected students’ abilities to cope with the pressures of college. Most alarming of all the percentages, are the 14% of respondents who admitted struggling with self-harm and the 18% who revealed having suicidal thoughts.
Given the rise in cases of depression and anxiety around the world since the beginning of the pandemic, it may be unsurprising to some to see an increase in suicidal thoughts and self-harm. However, according to a study conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention the rise in suicidal ideation has affected young adults, ages 18 through 24, disproportionately. The following data plot highlights this in greater detail.
The above plot uses data taken from a CDC study that analyzed the effects of the pandemic on mental health by comparing data from 2018 to the summer of 2020 during the lockdown. The data clearly shows the rise in suicidal ideation has affected young adults in particular, with nearly 1 out of 4 young adults who participated in the survey indicating having had thoughts of self-harm or suicide since the start of the pandemic. The rise in such thoughts among this age group from 10.7% to 25.5% is deeply concerning, especially when compared to the far smaller 6.7% increase among all other age groups that participated in the study.
While it is completely normal to have heightened feelings of fear, anxiety, and depression during a global pandemic that has taken the lives of millions, why is that college students are more susceptible to mental health issues during this time? Understanding why can help give students and universities the necessary resources to help combat cases of anxiety, depression, and other mental health related issues. In an article entitled “Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic as a College Student,” University of Michigan psychiatry student Nicole Hadler highlights a few reasons why college students in particular are at risk. In addition to the isolation and loneliness caused by social distancing, Hadler points to the shutting down of college campuses around the country, “While many students may be happy to reconnect with family again, some have returned to abusive households, others to an empty fridge, and others to no home at all.” Hadler also highlights that many students have lost their on-campus or local jobs and are facing more uncertainty and pressure than ever before when it comes to finding employment after graduation due to the state of the economy and the declining job market. Furthermore, Hadler notes that “All the while, college students are experiencing these sudden and unexpected changes while physically separated from their familiar on-campus support systems.”
The need for college students to find ways to cope with mental health challenges amidst the pandemic is as big a priority as their studies themselves. Maintaining a healthy sleep schedule, limiting time online, eating a healthy and balanced diet and connecting with others are all ways that researchers suggest people help support their mental health. However, considering that these guidelines are especially difficult to follow with the current state of education, universities share a greater responsibility than ever before in supporting the mental health of their students. While many students may no longer be on campus and have moved their education online, universities and professors need to ensure that the proper resources are in place to help support students with their mental health. In her report on student mental health, Lipson argues that “faculty need to be flexible with deadlines and remind students that their talent is not solely demonstrated by their ability to get a top grade during one challenging semester,” and whether students are on campus or not, a strong counseling program is a must for every university, so students can get the help they need to maintain their mental health and finish their education. While the past year has been a difficult one for all due to COVID-19, it can hopefully serve as a much needed reminder of the importance of prioritizing mental health as we gradually heal and return to normality.
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