Specific Aims
Cases of mental illness in colleges are growing. There is a increasing number of students in colleges, and with that an increasing number of students developing a mental illness. The hypothesis is that first year students from low income and lower social statuses are developing serious mental illnesses as a result of the high demands of college course loads and as a result are relying on dangerous methods of coping. The project will focus on the following:
The connection between stressors and mental illnesses.
Determine the relationship between the variables indicated in this proposal and mental illnesses.
What the affects are and who is most at risk.
Background
The amount of people attending public colleges is
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“Although, some students can take on increased pressure; other students will develop anxiety or depression” (Damer & Melendres. 2011). According to a study provided by 67 counselors from 54 different colleges from all over the United States, the most common mental health problems in community college students were general anxiety disorders at 84.8%, depression at 89.4% and stress at 89.4% (Katz & Davison. 2014). In another study 25% of students reported having mental health problems which included anxiety, and only 8% of students had been diagnosed with depression (Hussain et al. 2013).
Moreover, 95% of community colleges do not offer on campus psychiatric services to students (Katz & Davison. 2014). From a national college survey in 2012, 47.6% of college students claimed they did not receive any information about depression, anxiety or any other mental health issue from their college and 49% would have liked to get that information (Wilson et al. 2014). Most first year students are not physically or emotionally ready to face the challenges of college education (Kilbert et al 2014) Stated, “Counselors should create a credit-earning developmental program for freshman to promote adaptability. Promoting of such a program may reduce depression and anxiety traits” (Kilbert et al. 2014). 95% of community colleges do not offer on campus psychiatric services to students (Katz & Davison. 2014). Factors Causing Mental Illnesses Among Students
Often faced with
The top 4 mental health issues facing college students are depression, anxiety, suicide, and eating disorders. Depression is a huge problem with college students mainly because depression is linked to and leads to suicide. If one and three college students are depressed that's 33% of students who are on a pathway to suicide. Anxiety is one of the main problems because
In the United States only 50% of public school students receive any education on mental health issues prior to college. Yet, the years between middle school and college have the highest percentage of United States youth suffering from mental illnesses. Of college students who were surveyed across the country, 50% reported their mental health as being below average or poor, and 30% reported problems with schoolwork due to mental health issues.
Mental health among college students has been proven to be a relevant social issue that our society faces. There are certainly a few different institutions that play a large role within the development of this social issue. The first institution, and the primary institution at play with this issue, is the higher education system. In terms of mental health and having access to resources, college students haven’t always been as lucky as they are today. One study in 2007 explains the story of Junior at Syracuse University (Kravets, 3081). Anita Rutman had a history of mental health issues; she even found herself being admitted to a mental health hospital. One morning in February, she threw herself off of the eighth floor of Boland Hall and landed on a patio and fortunately lived. However, her attempt stemmed from the university sending her letter three days prior that informed Anita that the school was planning to dismiss her because of her suicidal tendencies (Kravets, 3081). Anita later sued Syracuse for ten million dollars for malpractice and negligence in handling her condition.
In the article, “High Anxiety”, the author, Sandra Long Weaver, analyzes the recent spike in anxiety and depression among college students. Weaver explains that the main problem students are facing when they enter college is anxiety and from that they suffer from depression. She explains that young adults are more aware of life events that affect them such as the job prospect. She explains how increased academic standards and parent involvement contributes to the immense rise of these disorders among college students In a student survey she states that over 50% of students suffer from anxiety because of the academic struggles.
Relate to Audience: A lot of college students suffers from depression daily. The stress from being in an unfamiliar environment, working and going to school at the same time can be a very heavy load to deal with. On
College represents a form of higher learning. For many, it is also a time for personal growth as we transition into adulthood. This in itself is a stressful situation as one must make drastic adjustments to a new role, environment, and demands. Stress is a major contributor to the development of mental and emotional issues (Rodgers, L., Tennison, L. 2009). Research has been done to determine the impact of depression and anxiety on university students. It has been
It is quite evident that the life of a college student is rigorous to say the least. Getting acclimated to college is a challenge. Being surrounded by many opportunities of academic excellence as well as social atmosphere and temptations out of this world can cause major conflicts. At the tender age of 18-24, one may experience the most amount of stress possible in a lifetime. Many studies have shown that the mental health of college students is analyzed due to the high expectations of society, and the constant competition that is life.
Before the main problems for college students were homesickness and relationships. Now the majority of students struggle with depression, anxiety, and self-harm.
Generalized anxiety is a problem that the United States faces nationwide. As we grow older and move into educational settings that are more taxing, anxiety becomes more prevalent. Today, college students are facing more stress than ever before. They are constantly pushed to be the best they can be, to be in the most extracurricular activities they can be in, and to attend the best schools possible. All of these goals and high expectations lead students to be harder on themselves, which makes other aspects of their life fall by the wayside, leading to high levels of stress and pressure.
Furthermore, some college students do not want to take medications, because they do not believe medication will solve their mental health problem or they believe that they can overcome mental illness with time (Iarovici, 2014, p. 206). Some students also read the latest studies
“‘Imagine how difficult it is to explain these behaviors to family and friends when you hardly understand them yourself.’”(High Anxiety). Studies have concluded that there is a link between stress, anxiety, and depression. Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental health concerns in our culture and affect millions of people today. Depression is typically characterized by low self-esteem, low energy, and causes hardly any interest in normally enjoyable activities. Stress is an emotional reaction to disastrous events. Anxiety is worrying about future events and the fear of the reaction towards current events. (Taber’s Cyclopedia Medical Dictionary 2678, 2086, 144) When being diagnosed, though, doctors might
In a disaster situation organisations are faced with the need to respond quickly and often provide very little warning to their personnel. It is during these non-routine situations which require individuals to adapt and overcome in order to carry out their duties effectively that first responders experience a number of stressors. There are two main categories of stressors, physical and mental.
Anxiety and Depression disorders are two of the most common mental disorders in the United States (Falsafi, 2016). It appears that the two disorders are widespread amongst college students and most cannot manage the high demands and stress (Falsafi, 2016). Therefore, they feel more prone to depression and anxiety (Falsafi, 2016). According to the authors Miller & Chung, mental health amongst college students in the United States is a growing public health concern and educators are concerned about the low academic performance of college students and how it influences their mental health (Miller, & Chung, 2009). Research indicates that university students suffer with low grades and poor academic performances, while trying to manage depression and anxiety (Falsafi, 2016). With the consistence of higher drop out rates, it is imperative that colleges and universities create programs that assist students with managing their depression and anxiety to help them through their education.
With more and more college students becoming depressed and anxious, researchers have been working hard to try and improve college student lifestyles. According to Therese Borchard, associate editor of World of Psychology, at least 44 percent of American college students reported feeling symptoms of depression this past year (Borchard).
College students are susceptible to increased anxiety due to academic stress, identity confusion, and complete responsibility.