Current Curriculum: Spiraling Mental Health Crisis in College Students

Kenzanie Brown, 18, a first-year biology major at City College, contemplated dropping out for months. The challenges of working part time while being a full-time student resulted in mental health concerns. To ease the stress, she recently withdrew from a biology class. Expecting relief after discontinuing biology, instead she grappled with shame and anxiety, regularly oversleeping and missing classes or feeling too fatigued to complete homework. “All I do is work, class, and study,” she says. “I’m sad all the time, and I don’t even see my friends.”

A pile-up of research has shown that college students and others are experiencing historic stressors that are contributing to decline in their mental health. This crisis has been exacerbated by the pandemic.

Most recently, the Healthy Minds Survey found that college students’ rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality have reached a record high. Responses from 96,000 college students who participated in their annual study for the 2021-2022 academic year, point to the highest rate in the survey’s 15-year history. Findings noted that 44 percent of students acknowledged depressive symptoms, 37 percent endured anxiety, and 15 percent contemplated suicide.

Mental health issues among college students do not discriminate based on age, race, religion, or gender. “Professors think I should do better because I am older and they are partially correct,” explains Leidy Rodriguez, 39, who is pursuing an American Sign Language (ASL) associate degree at LaGuardia Community College. “But I’m also dealing with a two year old, a full- time job, and struggling to pay bills every month. I’m stressed the hell out and depressed.”

Since mental health issues are not linear, the remedies are not either. Experts encourage college students to find help in any matter they can, including taking time off, self-care days, therapy, or medication. They also urge for an easier process for students taking time off to return to school due to mental health needs. “Following Covid and the lockdowns, school administrators should realize the importance of addressing any health concerns, particularly mental health,” explains Sharon Fader, LCSW, a psychotherapist in New York City.

The majority of colleges and universities provide students with tools such as counseling, psychological services, and workshops to help manage and combat mental health challenges since the need is critical. Warren Booker, 26, a Baruch College business administration major, sought help recently. “I was diagnosed with major depression two years ago,” says Booker. “Baruch offers extended time on my tests and homework, and also offers a support group for those who suffer from depression – which helps a lot.”