Universities struggling to cope with rising demand for student mental health services

Tuesday, October 4, 2016
By Paul Martin

by: Isabelle Z.
NaturalNews.com
Tuesday, October 04, 2016

College can be a stressful time for students. In many cases, going away to school creates a perfect storm that can magnify existing problems while bringing about new ones. Many students are away from home for the first time, and they’re also coming to terms with the responsibilities that accompany independence. In some cases, they are also being hit with the huge responsibility of student debt. Young adulthood is tumultuous at the best of times, and when you add in new surroundings and greater access to sex and drugs and take away parental supervision, things can quickly spiral out of control.

Even though it’s no secret that many college students face problems like loneliness, depression and anxiety, many universities are ill equipped to handle the increasing demand for student mental health services.

A report from the Higher Education Policy Institute says that one out of every 10 students has a “diagnosable mental illness,” and that some universities need to spend as much as triple the amount of money they currently devote to mental health services.

The problem is particularly pressing given the increase in the number of student suicides. The U.K.’s University of York released figures that showed that half of ambulance call-outs to the school’s campus related to suicide attempts or self-harm. The problem in the U.S. is just as big, if not bigger, with one study showing that almost one out of every five Harvard students had already received counseling. Universities are being urged to review their services and find ways to meet the growing demand for advice and counseling.

Antidepressants are not the answer

The Rest…HERE

Leave a Reply

Join the revolution in 2018. Revolution Radio is 100% volunteer ran. Any contributions are greatly appreciated. God bless!

Follow us on Twitter