Muhammad Tharwat wrote
Friday, May 19, 2023 11:00 PM
A new American study showed that a large number of American university students suffer from problems with their mental health, and that an increasing percentage is considering not completing their studies, according to the Network. CNN.
The study added that about 2 out of every 5 university students, nearly 50% of whom are female students, are exposed to emotional stress while attending college, according to a survey published by Gallup and Lumina, an independent private organization focused on creating educational opportunities available for post-secondary learning. 12,000 adults have a high school diploma but have not completed an associate or bachelor’s degree.
The survey revealed that more than 40% of students currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program had considered dropping out in the past six months, marking a 34% rise in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most attributed the cause to emotional stress and personal mental health, more than Financial considerations and the difficulty of classes.
Experts say the young adult years are a delicate phase for mental health in general, and the important changes that often accompany entering college can add stress..
Sarah K. said: Lipson is an assistant professor at Boston University and a principal investigator at the WHO Healthy Minds Network The research, which focuses on mental health in adolescents and young adults, says, “About 75% of lifelong mental health problems present by the mid-20s, which means the college years are a very critical time epidemiologically.”“.
And for many teens and young adults, the transition to college brings a newfound independence. They may be experiencing the first signs and symptoms of a mental health problem while they are currently experiencing this new level of autonomy which includes a newfound independence of decision-making as it relates to mental health.
It is estimated that 1 in 5 adults in the United States has a mental illness, and young people between the ages of 18 and 25 are disproportionately affected. The percentage of college students who have reported feelings of anxiety and depression has been increasing for years, and this reality has only worsened during the “Covid-19” pandemic.“.
-An analysis of federal data by the Foundation Kaiser Family Foundation Half of young people ages 18-24 reported symptoms of anxiety and depression in 2023, compared with about a third of adults..
-Experts said that mental health in college is very important, and Lipson noted that “we care about almost every expected long-term outcome, including their future economic earnings, workplace productivity, and their future mental and physical health as well.”“.
It turns out that the need for support is urgent. Nearly 1 in 7 university students said they had thoughts of dropping out, a higher number than the previous year, according to the survey. Healthy Minds Network.
For many college students, thinking about or deciding to give up pursuing college because of mental health challenges is accompanied by negative emotions, such as anxiety, fear, and sadness..
said Julie Wolfson, program director of outreach and research College ReEntry I have Fountain House“For a lot of students, this doesn’t align with what they imagined their lives would be like, it’s not the schedule they set for themselves.”“.
“They see their friends move forward, graduate and get their first job. They feel stuck, as they watch their life plans unravel.”“, But mental health experts stress the importance of prioritizing personal needs in the current situation.
Marcus Hotaling, a psychologist at Union College President of the Association of Directors of Counseling Centers in Universities and Colleges: “There is nothing wrong with taking some time off“.
He advised, “Take a semester off, even a year, improve yourself through therapy or medication, and then come back stronger, a better student, more focused, and most importantly, healthier.”“.
Experts are also encouraging higher education institutions to help relieve this pressure by putting in place policies that simplify the return process. “I hope in the future, there will be policies and systems that are more welcoming to students who are trying to take care of themselves,” he added.
