College is supposed to be a time for learning, meeting new people, and figuring out the next steps of life. However, for a lot of students, this is a time that is filled with stress, anxiety, and even depression. Based on the Healthy Minds Study, almost half of all college students struggle with anxiety or depression. And across the University of Wisconsin School System, anxiety (73%), stress (65%), and depression (63%) are all in the top concerns for students who seek counseling.
Even though mental health is such a large issue, getting help is not always the easiest process. Counseling services across the UW campuses are usually backed up, which means students have to wait weeks just to talk to someone. Others don’t even bother reaching out because they feel embarrassed or don’t know what resources are available.
This issue isn’t just about mental health, it can also affect school performance, graduation rates, and can have a major negative impact on their futures after college. When someone is constantly overwhelmed and struggling, their grades will be in trouble. They might end up dropping out and carrying these issues into their careers as well if the proper help is not provided. If we want to set students up for success, colleges need to make mental health more of a priority.
The University of Wisconsin School System needs to step up and create change. More funding for counseling services and better promotion of mental health resources could be important steps in making sure students get the help they need. Schools should also encourage conversations about mental health so feel less alone during these times.
Students and administration need to come together in order to make this happen. Students should reach out to their student government representatives and advocate for changes within the university to make sure that this issue gets the attention and can be resolved. The UW system and colleges around the country need to prioritize mental health and make sure students have access to the resources that will be beneficial.
Editor’s note: Sidney McLean is a senior majoring in social work at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. .
Healthy Minds Network. (2023). Healthy Minds Study: 2022-2023 National Report. https://healthymindsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HMS_National-Report-2022-2023_full.pdf
University of Wisconsin System. (2022). UW Student Behavioral Health Annual Report 2021-2022. https://www.wisconsin.edu/student-behavioral-health/download/UWCIAP_Annual-Report_21-22_FINAL.pdf
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. (n.d.). Mental Health Resources. https://www.uww.edu/uhcs/az/mental-health
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