Mental Health Issues In Higher Education

Mental health crisis in North American higher education

The number of university and college students on campuses that are suffering from anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and psychosis across North America is rising (Flatt, 2013). This escalation of students’ psychological needs has developed into a mental health crisis. Many mental disorders become evident between the age of 18and 24, which coincides directly with the average age of student enrolment in higher education (Flatt, 2013). It was also found that, the psychological disorders that the students are being treated for, while studying in higher education has increased in its severity. Following accidents and homicides, suicide has become the third leading cause of death among

In recent years, academic stress has been heightened by high grade expectations, the gap between academic expectations and reality, and the current generation’s inability to deal with with failure.

Some studies suggest that increased financial burden may also be a cause of stress, depression, anxiety, and psychosis for undergraduate students (Flatt, 2013). Financial burden due to large student debt and high tuition costs is the reason for financial stress for students in North America. This stress is a possible cause for mental health problems.

As North American post-secondary education has shifted from select few to mass education, accessibility has become one of the major issues in higher education (Flatt, 2013). Student access to tertiary-level education has been progressively increasing for decades. The consequence of expanded accessibility is the increased enrollment of underprivileged minorities who in the past have had less opportunity to participate in higher education and students from socioeconomically disadvantaged groups who have higher risk for mental disorders to begin

For many students, university and college differ radically from secondary school or their home environment. This can be an important time to explore, develop independence, and experiment as they live for the first time under their own rules. However, many of the choices made by undergraduate students, including diet, exercise, drinking, and sexual behavior, can have undesirable mental health effects. Weight gain as a result of a poor diet and lack of healthy activity is common among undergraduate students, and is usually exacerbated by increased stress from the academic workload. Studies have shown that there is an indirect association between physical activity and depression and anxiety. Students who exercise regularly are less likely to be ill with depression, anxiety, or panic