As a small continuation of my previous article regarding self-care (linked here for your convenience) I felt it only necessary to continue this discussion with a recent news story from Minnesota Daily on mental health, and how the University of Minnesota is taking additional steps to make sure students have the services they need.
According to the World Health Organization, one in four people throughout the world will be impacted by mental or neurological disorders at some point throughout their lives. If that fact is not surprising enough, another statistic states nearly two-thirds of people with a known mental disorder never seek help from a professional.
It is no doubt that among college campuses there is a wide variety of stress occurring at virtually all times of the day. With classes, student groups, volunteering, jobs, and internships around campus, there are many activities keeping students busy and often overwhelmed. Not to mention the potential roommate issues they might encounter, breakups with significant others, or the death of a close family or friend.
It is, then, no surprise the aforementioned statistic from the World Health Organization increases when discussing college students. Within the past few decades, according to Psychology Today, rates of anxiety and depression have sky-rocketed, with studies now suggesting that between a quarter to a third of students meet criteria for an anxiety or depressive mental illness throughout their college career.
Students attending the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities recognized the increased demand for mental health at the campus' health service center, Boynton. Over the past year, the demand for mental health services across campus has increased by a drastic twenty-five percent, which rose from the usual five percent annual increase in previous years.
Currently, Boynton's Mental Health Unit is located on the second floor of the building on East Bank Campus in Minneapolis. However, under the new $260,000 renovation project, a new space for patients and staff will open on the first floor of the building. If provided with further funding, Boynton will also add four additional therapists, a receptionist, and a new nurse.
As a student who has previously used the mental health services offered by Boynton, I can agree with this increased need for staff and an increased space for students. On nearly every visit since I started seeking professional help, at least five other students were also present for their appointments, not including the students already being seen. In addition, during my first general walk-in appointment, I waited for approximately two hours in the waiting room before I was able to be seen by a professional. A desperate call for change will be able to solve these issues.
With the recent skyrocket in demand for mental health services on campus, it seems extremely necessary for this renovation to continue, and additional funding be provided for the increase in staff. It is unknown how the demand will rise in the future. However, the University of Minnesota must be prepared to meet that potential drastic increase in demand that will be present in the future. By taking these additional steps, it will ensure students are provided with the help they need to succeed.
