MENTAL HEALTH TRENDS IN HIGHER

EDUCATION

Laura MillingHorry Georgetown Technical College

Session Goals

Latest Mental Health Trends and Statistics in Higher Education

Mental Health and Academic Success Community Issue: Discussion About the

FA Counselor’s Role Resources

Defining Mental Health Conditions

The CDC defines mental health conditions as:

Health conditions that are characterizedby alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior (or some combination of those) associated with distress and/or impaired functioning.

www.nami.org/namioncampus

Mental Illness Stats

75 percent of lifetime cases of mental health conditions begin by age 24

1 in 4 young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 have a diagnosable mental illness

More than 25 percent of college students have been diagnosed or treated by a professional for a mental health condition within the past year

www.nami.org/namioncampus

Trends

Colleges around the country are reporting large increases in the prevalence and severity of mental health conditions

Improved identification coupled with mental health treatment options means that students whose severe mental health challenges may have precluded them from attending college in the past are now able to attend (The Mentor-Academic Advising Journal 8/15/13)

Most prevalent Mental Health Diagnoses

11 percent of college students have been diagnosed or treated for anxiety (within the past year)

More than 10 percent reported being diagnosed or treated for depression (within the past year)

www.nami.org/namioncampus

Veterans with Mental Health Diagnoses

40% of individuals who served in Iraq and Afghanistan will be returning as individuals with disabilities

Per the 2008 Rand estimates, 30% of these veterans will have mental health conditions and/or traumatic brain injuries

Veterans may be new to their diagnoses without prior history or knowledge of IDEA/Section 504 eligibility

Honolulu Community College 7/1/10

Academic Success and Mental Health

Students cited depression and anxiety as among the top impediments to academic performance (American College Health Association Report -2011)

According to NAMI, young adults (without adequate treatment) experiencing a mental health issue are more likely to receive lower GPAs, drop out of college or be unemployed

Accessing Services

Stigma remains the number 1 barrier to students seeking help (NAMI, College Students Speak: A Report on Mental Health)

Among top 5 reasons why students disclose a mental health disability: “to avoid disciplinary action by the school and to avoid losing financial aid”

Among top 5 reasons why students do not disclose: “Do not trust that their medical information will remain confidential”

More Financial Aid Connections

Within same NAMI survey, “frequently” students reported:

They are no longer attending college because they lost their financial aid and/or scholarships as a result of receiving a low GPA or changing to part-time student status

Awareness of Available Services

Results from American College Counseling Association Community College Task Force 2012-13:

Many students are unaware or confused about the services available to help support their success at community colleges

Ways Staff Can Help

The most important tool [staff] have in terms of helping students with mental health issues is awareness of relevant campus resources

[Staff] should …be on the lookout for overly dependent students who make frequent visits to their office and seem unable to make their own decisions

Lori Corley, University of South Carolina, 7/15/13 (Prevalence of Mental Health Issues Among College Students, The Mentor)

FERPA Implications

According to Student Mental Health and the Law: A Resource for Institutions-JED Foundation:

“FERPA” allows communication about a specific student among institution of higher education (IHE) staff, faculty, and administrators who are concerned about the welfare of the student or community.”

Supporting Students

According to NAMI: Students with Mental Health concerns want staff to:

Be proactive in connecting students to help Faculty and staff should hear them out and be

respectful, non-judgmental and sensitive to their issues

Faculty and staff should know that mental health issues are as real and as serious as other physical health issues. They are not an excuse for being lazy, irresponsible or a bad student.

Available Resources

JEDCampus http://www.jedfoundation.org

ULifeline: www.hgtc.edu/counseling