What student support looks like in higher education
The world is constantly changing and the student support that is needed at the college level looks vastly different than it did only five years ago. Generation Z, also referred to as iGen, includes anybody who was born from 1995-2015. According to Active Minds, this generation is sometimes referred to as the ‘anxious generation.’ They are more than likely going to break the stigma around mental illness.
As a school counselor I have witnessed first hand how mental illness affects the adolescent population. This population is the most anxious, depressed and suicidal group that I have encountered since I began working in the schools in 2006. You might be wondering what this has to do with post-secondary planning. Well, in order for students to be successful in their post-secondary plans it is important that they have the resources needed to build a solid foundation. This includes resources targeted to students with pre-existing mental health concerns.
One of the biggest obstacles students are facing is the lack of mental health resources. According to the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) colleges can’t match the mental health demands of their students, even if they double their counseling staff. Nearly 20% of their student body is requesting counseling services and may wait anywhere from three weeks to three months before getting an appointment. More colleges are seeing an increase of students taking a medical leave to seek treatment off-campus. Mental health is the foundation of success in college and if you are dealing with mental health issues and it is left untreated you will struggle to be successful academically. Therefore, if you are looking to head off to college it is recommended that you connect with mental health professionals off campus. It is important to get a team in place before you leave for college so you can set yourself up for success.
According to ASCA, some questions you may want to ask your potential colleges are:
-What is the student to counselor ratio?
-What is the average wait time for a student to see a therapist?
-What other mental health initiatives exist on campus?
-Do you provide a list of off campus-mental health professionals?
It is recommended that you start looking for necessary providers about three months before the start of the semester. If you are looking for guidance on how to navigate this process feel free to reach out!
Comments