Whether the cause is an onslaught of midterms, trouble adjusting to a new environment or relationship worries, it is not unusual for students to experience psychological distress at some point during college.
A recent study by the International Association of Counseling Services confirms this phenomenon, indicating that college mental health counselors report an increase in the number of college students with moderate to severe psychological problems.
Eighty-five percent of counselors from 274 institutions that participated in the "National Survey of Counseling Center Disorders," an annual publication, said they saw a rise in the number of students with depression and anxiety disorders over the last five years.
"There have been a number of studies over the years showing that students are seeking more counseling services," said Julia Routbort, assistant director of Counseling and Psychological Services at Student Health. "It's a national trend."
"College is stressful for a lot of people," Routbort said. The stress of school can compound other problems.
"There are also students who come into school with mental health issues," she added.
Depression is one of the most common problems University students face. But it also is the single most common psychological issue among the general public, Routbort said.
Some other common ailments listed on the CAPS Web page include adjustment difficulties, alcohol and substance abuse, eating disorders and grief and loss.
The increase in students seeking counseling may be noticeable around Grounds.
"I do have friends in counseling," third-year College student Lauren Purnell said. "I don't know if the number is increasing because [Student Health is] doing a better job of referring, or if there is a bigger need."
According to the survey, 62 percent of campuses offer psychiatric services and 76 percent offer on-call crisis services.
At the University, CAPS offers a full range of options, from individual and group psychotherapy, to psychiatric evaluation and medical prescription, to education, prevention and outreach programs. Student Health also has 24-hour on-call phone services.
"Most people just rely on their friends, but friends can't always provide the answers," Purnell said. "It's good to have professionals who are on-call 24 hours a day."
According to the survey, 30 percent of the colleges reported a student suicide in the last year - a total of 80 students. But only 10 percent of campus counseling centers reported a recent suicide, suggesting that students who seek counseling are less likely to commit suicide.
There have been no suicides at the University in the last two years.
But, "our suicide [rate] is no higher and no lower than the national average," she added. "There have been suicides on campus within the last five years."
Early detection and treatment are important to students' long-term mental health, so CAPS asks students having psychological distress to make an appointment
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