The student mental health crisis is a pressing concern on college campuses, where many students face a multitude of stressors, from racial discrimination to financial insecurity. This burden takes a toll on their well-being, yet campuses often fall short in providing effective support and guidance.
Many institutions, in their pursuit of fame, wealth, and prestige, inadvertently exacerbate these stressors, which can compromise students’ mental health and well-being. While they chase these unhealthy obsessions, valuable benefits like deep connections, community, spirituality, and health are overshadowed.
The consequences are evident in rising rates of stress, anxiety, and depression among college students. In the 2021-22 academic year, the national Healthy Minds Survey revealed that anxiety and depression among college students had reached historic levels. Approximately 37 percent reported experiencing some level of anxiety, while 44 percent acknowledged experiencing depression in the two weeks leading up to the survey. An overwhelming 83 percent disclosed that emotional or mental difficulties had affected their academic performance in the month preceding the survey.
While some may attribute these statistics to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s crucial to recognize that mental health issues were already on the rise before the pandemic. Therefore, institutions must acknowledge their role in perpetuating these trends and assume greater responsibility for addressing the mental health crisis among students.
Creating a supportive campus environment that fosters well-being and resilience while mitigating the adverse effects of unhealthy obsessions is essential. To be part of the solution rather than the problem, colleges must prioritize the mental health of their students, offering resources and assistance that genuinely address their challenges and promote their overall well-being.
