Mental Health

Ryleigh O’Brien
The College Student Mental Health Crisis… the
new normal
What is it?
● significant numbers of college students experience mental health problems (between a quarter and a third at any given
time)
● over the past 15 to 20 years, we have seen a dramatic increase in the demand for mental health services on college
campuses.
● In sum, there are a number of data pointing to actual increases in rates of mental illness/distress. The strongest data point to
this being a generational phenomenon with increases in children, adolescents and young adults emerging since the 2000s. I
should comment here that this is not something that has to do with college students per se. That is, there is not much
reason to suppose that college students would be worse off in terms of mental health than those who don’t go to college.
● The take-home message is this: The college student mental health crisis refers to the massive increase in treatment-seeking
in college students. Whereas perhaps 10% were self-identified and seeking treatment in the 1980s, now approximately 33%
are. This massive rise is likely a function of both more accepting attitudes about reporting distress and seeking and receiving
treatment, and actual increases in stress, anxiety, and depression and other related problems.
Mental Health and Psychology
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps
determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from
childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many
factors contribute to mental health problems, including:

● Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry

● Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
● Family history of mental health problems

Mental health problems are common but help is available. People with mental health problems can get better and many recover
completely
As depicted in these graphics, we see a substantial increase in rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, and
some increase in loneliness.
Foster’s Voice
● Created to stop the stigma of depression, suicide, mental health problems
● Give back to high school students
● Monthly support group meetings
● Donate and help local charities
● Main goal is to share his voice to stop others from losing theirs
References
Attwood, Kevin. “Foster's Voice | Let's Change the World.” Foster's Voice | Let's Change the World, Kevin Attwood,
www.fostersvoice.com/.

Henriques, G. (2018, November 18). The College Student Mental Health Crisis (Update). Retrieved February 10, 2019, from
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/theory-knowledge/201811/the-college-student-mental-health-crisis-update

“What Is Mental Health?” What Is Mental Health? | MentalHealth.gov, 29 Aug. 2017,

www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health.