Campuses across the country have seen a significant increase in students seeking help for psychological problems in the past decade.
A 13-year study done by Kansas State University tracked students’ reasons for getting counseling during college.
Sherry Benton, KSU assistant director of counseling and author of the study, said for each type of problem, the study evaluated the percentage of students in that category.
Benton said throughout the years, significant jumps have occurred in the percentage of students coming to the Kansas counseling center for problems related to stress and anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.
“I think life is more stressful now than it was 10 or 12 years ago,” Benton said. “College students are struggling more than ever.”
Drayton Vincent, mental health doctor at the Student Health Center, said although a steady flow of students usually goes through the center, it is starting waiting lists earlier than usual in the semester.
Vincent said most of the time the center has a waiting list starting after midterms, but during the last three or four years, it started to back up in the third or fourth week of school.
“I think students’ lives are more complicated, than say, 10 years ago, because time was more flexible and there were less students working,” Vincent said. “Now, students have a full work load at school and two part-time jobs.”
Vincent said he has seen an increase in the number of students and the severity of their problems, mainly stress-related. He said situations are more complicated now and go beyond usual developmental issues with relationships, academics or achievement.
Benton said although no definite answer exists as to why such an increase occurred, she can speculate about many different possibilities.
“Students feel more compelled to be involved,” Benton said. “With grade inflation, it’s hard to distinguish yourself with grades if everyone has As and Bs, so they do it with résumé building.”
Benton said another factor of added stress is students’ income. Students feel the effects of financial burdens and work more.
Vincent said more advertisements on radio and television have contributed to the increased awareness of mental health and acceptance of having psychological problems.
“There’s no one thing that causes problems,” Vincent said. “Depression and anxiety are a normal part of life, and there is help available.”
Drayton said the Student Health Center is available to any student suffering from signs of depression, such as changes in sleep patterns, appetite or mood.
He said students can call the Mental Health Center at 578-8774 for appointments. All sessions are confidential.