Are We More Mentally Ill Than We Were 10 Years Ago!? UNIVERSITY COUNSELING SERVICES University of Iowa Barry A. Schreier, Ph.D., Director

Student Mental Health Severity

Some National #’s Source: 2015 online survey of college students in their second term conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of The Jed Foundation, The Jordan Matthew Porco Foundation, and The Partnership for Drug Free Kids.

And There’s More..... Mental Health Issues Are Prevalent on Campuses. One in four students have a diagnosable mental illness. More than 25% have been diagnosed or treated for a mental health condition within the past year. 11% of college students have been diagnosed or treated for anxiety in the past year with 10% diagnosed or treated for depression. 40% of students have felt more than average stress in the past 12 months. 80% of college students felt overwhelmed by all they had to do and 45% felt hopeless. 73% of students living with a mental health condition experienced a mental health crisis on campus while 34% reported their college did not know of their crisis. Colleges reported large increases in enrollment. Counseling centers concurrently observed an increase in the prevalence and severity of mental health issues experienced by students and an increase in the number of students taking psychotropic medications. Mental Health Issues Are a Leading Impediment to Academic Success. In an American College Health Association report, students cited depression and anxiety as top impediments to academic performance. 64% of students no longer in college are due to mental health related reasons. Depression, bipolar disorder, and post- traumatic stress disorder are the primary diagnoses. 31% of students have felt so depressed in the past year, it was difficult to function and more than 50% felt overwhelming anxiety, making it hard to succeed academically. Suicide is a Real Concern 7% of college students have “seriously considered suicide” during the past year. Data From the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI) & The American College Health Association (ACHA), 2014

National Suicide Stats Students a Year- Epidemic! Students a Year- Epidemic! 2 nd Leading Cause of Student Death. First? 2 nd Leading Cause of Student Death. First? Stuff isn’t always okay. Sometimes things aren’t the entire best, but I can also be resilient. I got grit!

Why These Findings? Research Methods Are Developed to Follow Findings!

Why These Findings? We All Know Research Funding is Greater for Pathology!

Why These Findings? There Are Political Components, Too: Survey Status & Pulling for Attention & Resources

Why These Findings? And What About Generational Differences in How Questions Are Asked?

Why These Findings? You’re The Ones That Did Such a Bang Up Job Reducing Stigma!

Why These Findings? Maybe We Have Become a Medication Nation, Too!!

Why These Findings? Just Because I’m Emotional Doesn’t Mean There is Something Wrong with Me! Seriously!!

So, Then What?? Research Well-ness In Addition To Ill-ness Research Well-ness In Addition To Ill-ness Focus Equally On Mental Health & Mental Hurt Focus Equally On Mental Health & Mental Hurt Help Media Represent The Broader Campus Demographic Help Media Represent The Broader Campus Demographic Charge Media To Represent Strengths Equally With or Above Vulnerabilities Charge Media To Represent Strengths Equally With or Above Vulnerabilities Challenge Mental Health Stereotypes That Lead To Bias Challenge Mental Health Stereotypes That Lead To Bias Challenge Awareness With the Latest Research Data (Student Are Also Incredibly Resilient. Got Grit?) Challenge Awareness With the Latest Research Data (Student Are Also Incredibly Resilient. Got Grit?) Bias Hurts But Not Anymore Than Anything Else Bias Hurts But Not Anymore Than Anything Else Focus On Empowerment Rather Than On Victimization Focus On Empowerment Rather Than On Victimization Speak Specifically About Campus Communities Speak Specifically About Campus Communities Circumscribe Findings to Avoid Collateral Assumptions Circumscribe Findings to Avoid Collateral Assumptions Represent Communities To Make Students Stronger Represent Communities To Make Students Stronger Include Attention on Protective Factors and Not Just Risk Factors Include Attention on Protective Factors and Not Just Risk Factors