Any search for the words “college students” and “mental health” will serve up a heap of first-person stories with titles like My Mental Health Healing Journey, Mental Health and College: My Story, or “After Confronting Mental Health Struggles in College, I’m Now Helping Others.” And this is only page one of a Google search. There is story after story of how a college student suffered and (hopefully) found healing. 

These anecdotes are now part of our cultural currency. What would have once been seen as private or, sadly, shameful now occupies the front pages of school newspapers, specialty journals, and various online publications aimed at college students.

The good news is that thanks to brave and outspoken students, those who have struggled with their mental health are no longer staying quiet. They are acknowledging their struggles and bringing them to the attention of college administrators, faculty, and ordinary citizens in an effort to reform and expand mental health services available on campus.

The less exciting news is that more students than ever are suffering from some form of mental illness. A study by Healthy Minds, a division of Healthy Minds Network, found that 36% of college students have been diagnosed with anxiety and 30% with depression. And these statistics only reflect diagnoses, not the total number afflicted. All over campuses, students report anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, suicidality, tech addiction, and generalized panic disorder. To substantiate this assertion, 88% of counseling center directors reported an increase in “severe psychological problems over the past five years including learning disabilities, self-injurious behaviors, eating disorders, substance use, and sexual assaults” (Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors). 

Certain schools are going beyond the usual standards of care to confront this problem head on with extended hours of their counseling services, campus-wide initiatives to educate students about mental illness, and the promotion of campus wellness activities. But none of these, by themselves, are enough to combat the generational shift we are seeing in the psychological stability of young people.

There are organizations within the world of higher education whose mission is to help students cope with mental illness when it arises on campus. With more than 500 active chapters, Active Minds endeavors to destigmatize mental illness and teach that “seeking help is a sign of strength.” The Jed Foundation is a national suicide prevention organization, specifically serving young adults. Other organizations with campus presence include NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), Association of Recovery in Higher Education, and Healthy Minds Network. Some schools, recognizing the increased need for services, have implemented programs to provide treatment as part of the school’s resources. Most notably, McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland has instituted a fee-for-service program, WESP (Wellness Extended Support Program) where students see the same therapist weekly on campus. 

At Plan the Path, our first concern is the wellbeing of our students. As we take stock of their grades, their high school experience, and their future goals, we aim to create a college list to help them attain their dreams – but first and foremost, we recognize that good mental health is the main prerequisite for success.  

We pay particular attention to the unspoken needs of our students.  Are they appropriately managing their affairs, keeping up with their schoolwork, and handling the challenges of being a teenager? Our team is composed of educators, social workers, and those who have worked in mental health settings, and we’re passionate about students’ and families’ wellbeing. If we can be of service to your family or someone you know, please be in touch.