By Charlotte Larason
Study finds college students may experience the first onset of mental health and substance-abuse problems due to academic pressures, separation from family while going to school, and intense work and study schedules.
According to the National Library of Medicine ACAD Psychiatry’s 2015 study, “Most mental health disorders have their peak onset during young adulthood. [It was] observed that by the age of 25 years, 75% of those who will have a mental-health disorder have had their first onset. Among traditional students, the significant disruptions associated with attending college may exacerbate current psychopathology that first manifested in childhood and or trigger its first onset. Similarly, non-traditional students who may have to attend to the demands of their numerous roles — work and family — may experience an exacerbation of their symptoms or a relapse.”
Debra Morton, CSN’s interim director of the Disability Resource Center and Counseling and Psychological Services says, “The most common mental-health issues evidenced by our CSN students are anxiety, depression, stress, stress management and academic difficulties. Family issues are often manifested as well.”
Zachary Brown, CSN student, says, “The main challenge I’ve faced is balancing work, school and family. That constant repetition of just work and school makes it easy to feel overwhelmed or lose sight of things.”
CSN has CAPS for help with counseling. According to the CSN website, “CAPS strives to help students pursue their academic, personal, and career goals by promoting self-advocacy, self-regulation, and developing coping strategies and problem-solving abilities in students.”
CAPS offers free counseling sessions to students.
CSN student Sarah Machael shares her opinion about counseling, “I’d say that even if you feel like you might be able to handle things all on your own, you can’t always do that and there are so many people and services at school that can help people with their mental health.”
Brown adds his opinion, “To students who are struggling with their mental health but feel hesitant to reach out, everyone suffers differently, which is why it’s even more important for you to not ignore your own struggles, to help others understand, to try and separate yourself from what strains you.”
Director Morton says, “[Students] come into the office racked with anxiety, dread, fear, feelings of despair or wanting to end their lives. After meeting with them, students leave feeling heard, relieved and hopeful about their next steps. More than once, I have heard expressions like ‘I feel so much better now’ and ‘Thank you so much; I know what to do now,’ and ‘This was great: thank you!’,” Morton adds.
CAPS is available at all three CSN campuses. Counseling & Psychological Services | College of Southern Nevada.
Coyote Student News at the College of Southern Nevada 