Mental Health Problems Causes and Solutions in Colleges
Mental health problems have been debated for several years all around the world. It turns one of the highest levels of people suffering from mild mental disorders is in higher education sphere. Several researches affirm that students currently experience high levels of anxiety and depression.
In fact, a forum entrenched for UK Members of Parliament called All Party Parliamentary Group on Students stated that almost 33 per cent of college students had suicidal thoughts through the last academic year. Just heed the number: 660 students, of 2 000 on campus, suffer from depression or experience strong stress and panic attacks, it means each third student!
The problem of mental health in terms of academia influences not only the performance levels but effects whether the students actually finish the degree. It’s obvious it is becomes a big problems having a vast impact on student’s career potential and on life in general.
Among the most blatant stress factors are transfer from school to college, assignment deadlines, examination and financial struggles.
Providing Help for Students
Some other social studies show that college students do not fully understand the importance of mental health issues and are indecisive to find help. Academics outlined the high abundance of mental health problems and low levels of mental health awareness among students.
Thus, the government and colleges are now raising mental health literacy among students, addressing disorders and help them overcome the feeling of reproach and shame.
There are on campus clinks willing to provide students with help but students should be prepared for it. There are apps, posters and websites designed for students to overcome the fear and face the problem.
Are Students the Only One Suffering?
In comparison to mental health problems occurring around students, academics are left alone with the same problem. The issue of academics’ mental health disorders is poorly discussed. The latest research state that almost 43 per cents of academic staff experience mental issues. According to the earlier studies it is twice the percentage of mental disorders within the general population of the country.
Academics experience constant stress at work due to the extreme working-hour overloads and publishing requirements. The scientific world is all based on the publishing experience, so academics are forced to publish or perish otherwise.
It is clear that such stress cannot but leave its print on the productivity, influencing the quality of scientific, teaching and administrative work. Moreover, it has a negative impact on the relationships among co-workers and attitude towards students. Needless to say, what a harmful reflections it has on personal life.
Academics have fewer opportunities to seek for help on campus, in comparison to students. There is almost no mental health support for them in college, so they have to find time to get an appointment somewhere else.
Unfortunately, the current financial situation and politics complicate the possibilities for academics to get enough support: colleges are now under government pressure to fulfill students’ and their parents’ demands and needs, causing more stress for academics.
Changing the Routine of Academics
Facing the problem and raising public awareness is a first step on the way to the healthy academic environment. Both academics and society have to acknowledge the problem and its factors.
However, only talking about the problem is not enough, much more action has to be taken. Academics should be provided with time and opportunities to treat their mental health problems. As an option, some on-campus clubs may serve as help to get the stress off. Group gathering and practicing some common interests, such as painting, yoga or playing music may become a therapy for academics. However, above all it’s on college administration to make sure academics have time for it or any other activity that distracts them from the routine. They should provide some spare time for academics to practice some extracurricular activities, even if it’s just walking outside for 30 minutes.
Mental health problems have a great impact on the future of students and university in general. In case the problem is left unresolved and underestimate, depressing and devastating consequences will be faced soon.
