Mental
Illness Increases on College Campuses
by Lance
H. Hegland
The number of
students enrolled at the University of Minnesota who experience significant
mental illness seems to be increasing, according to Dr. Gary Christenson,
the Director of the Mental Health Clinic at the University's Boynton
Health Service. He provided the information as part of an article
written by Charlene Dick and published in the September 8th edition
of The Minnesota Daily, the independent student-produced newspaper
originating from the U’s Twin Cities campus. The
article states that the number of students registered for the 2003-2004
school year who experience a psychiatric disability is up 22% over
1998-1999. Does that mean people get mental illness by going to college?!?
Although college does cause some to feel a lot of stress and anxiety,
the answer is "NO! College does not cause mental illness!"
The National Alliance
for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), with the support of Abbott Laboratories,
hopes to debunk this and other myths about mental illness during
Mental Illness Awareness Week. The Week, which began October 3,
will be marked by various activities held throughout the country.
According to the NAMI website, "This year's theme,
'Unity through Diversity', reflects the hope and real possibility
of reclaimed lives in all communities across the country and encapsulates
the true spirit and essence of NAMI while reflecting all forms of
difference."
What is mental illness anyway? How can someone tell if they have
one? NAMI considers mental illness to include such things as bipolar,
major depressive, obsessive-compulsive, panic and anxiety, attention
deficit/hyperactivity, and other severe and persistent disorders
that affect the brain. The symptoms of such disorders vary widely,
from tiredness, loss of interest, difficulty concentrating, long-lasting
sadness, extreme pessimism, increased hostility, paranoia, to the
most extreme: suicide.
Because these illnesses
are generally biologically-based brain disorders, they are nearly
impossible to detect when looking at someone; they're often considered "invisible" or "hidden" disabilities.
They affect people of any age, race, religion, or income. They are
not the result of personal weakness, lack of character, lack of intelligence,
or poor upbringing. Furthermore, they cannot be overcome through "willpower".
Still, mental illnesses are treatable! Most people with mental illness
can control their symptoms through the use of medication, just like
other disorders such as diabetes. Some people may also use supportive
counseling, self-help groups, assistance with housing, vocational
rehabilitation, income assistance, and other community services in
order to achieve their highest level of recovery. But until a person
is diagnosed and receives treatment, these illnesses can profoundly
disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, moods, ability to relate to
others, and capacity for coping with the demands of life, such as
college.
So, if college does not
cause mental illness, why is the number of people who are attending
college and experiencing such illnesses increasing? NAMI points
out that depression and other major illnesses first become apparent
during a person’s college years. Students
must contend with new surroundings, people, classes, and other various
stresses. The pressures of college life, combined with biological
factors, have made mental illness on college campuses an increasingly
common concern. An estimated 27% of young adults between the ages
of 18 and 24 have a diagnosable mental illness. Every year thousands
of college students struggle alone with mental illnesses such as
depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.
Because awareness of mental illnesses has increased in recent years,
more people have been diagnosed and treated, which has allowed them
to more effectively deal with their symptoms and lead a more active
life -- including going to college. The following are ways those
experiencing mental illness can make the most of educational experiences:
learn about symptoms, treatments, and general coping strategies
become acquainted with mental health resources on campus
practice time management and set limits -- don't try to do
too much
try various learning styles (e.g., hearing, watching, reading,
and doing) to find the one, or combination, that works best for you
Personally, I experience
the effects of general anxiety and major depression. During my
high school and undergraduate years, I didn't realize I had a mental
illness, let alone ever think I would have one! I occasionally
experienced class and test anxiety, then one day, moments before
entering a morning class, a major panic attack (i.e., chest pain,
vomiting, hot and cold sweats), I wanted answers. My doctor asked
if I thought I experienced anxiety or depression. I laughed and
said, "Of course not!" I demanded a thorough
physical checkup and received treatment for the physical ailments
my doctor discovered. However, I still experienced the same symptoms
afterward. I began feeling tired all the time. My doctor again asked
the question: "Do you think you are depressed or anxious?" I
again answered, "No way!" This time I underwent a sleep
study and used a sleep aid, but still the symptoms remained. Eventually,
a time came where I had many changes occur all at once, and over
four months I fell apart. I spent one week in the hospital, followed
by four weeks of intensive classes covering mental illness and recovery.
I realized my “breakdown” was related to all the changes
in my life, and I moved on. Three years later, I experienced another
group of changes and another week in the hospital. The bottom line:
mental illness can happen to anyone, even you: be open to its possibility.
Early identification and treatment is vitally important. Getting
treatment as soon as possible will result in an easier and shorter
recovery, and it will protect you from further harm related to the
illness. If you think that you or someone you know has symptoms of
mental illness, please see your campus's counseling center, health
center, disability services office or doctor.
“NAMI on campus” provides
resources and community at www.nami.org
