Daniela Weinsweig

Problem

            Many college students live with depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. A 2013 survey of college students found that 57% of women and 40% of men reported experiencing episodes of “overwhelming anxiety” in the past year. Studies suggest that between a quarter and a third of students meet criteria for an anxiety or depressive illness during their college experience. While one in four students have a diagnosable illness, 40% do not seek help in school. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, students will not go to see anyone about their mental health because they think they will be looked down upon.

 

Background.

            The problem with a student not disclosing a diagnosed illness is that they are limiting their access to helpful accommodations and other resources that help students to succeed in school. Disclosure is legally required to receive accommodations in college. When asked if they have disclosed their diagnosis to their college, the responses among college students were split 50/50 between yes and no. Respondents who answered no mentioned a fear of disclosing. When asked why he did not disclose his diagnosis, one student mentioned that he felt that “there is a lot of stigma and the benefits of disclosing do not outweigh the risks” (Hefner & Eisenberg, 2009). The leading reason as to why students do not disclose is because they are concerned about the impact disclosing would have on how students faculty and staff perceive them.

 

Remedy

            A mental health-training program could be implemented for all faculty and staff of the University of Maryland.  If students know that their professors are educated on mental illnesses and how they can affect ones academic performance, they may feel more comfortable approaching them.