Running head: THe perception of college students toward mental health accessibility in the U.s. 1

The Perception of College Students Toward Mental Health Accessibility in the U.S.

Linh P. Vu

Department of Psychology, Central Washington University, Des Moines

THe perception of college students toward mental health accessibility in the U.s. 2

The positive collaboration between social stress and mental illness has been well proven

in so many literatures in the past. It is emphasized in Weitz’s (2013) text that the chronic stress is

more likely to affect individuals’ mental health compared to acute stress such as life events.

According to National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) (2015), in the U.S., there is 50% of

mental illness cases begin at the age of 14, and 75% cases begin by the age of 24. Surprisingly,

due to the lack of effectiveness in treatment and professional mental health resources from the

very beginning, students’ symptoms tend to increase as greater academic is obtained (Meilman et

al., 2015). Research has shown that by the time reaching college, one in every four college

students was diagnosed with mental illness; half of the students reported suffering mood

disorders-anxiety, depression, stress; 40% do not seek help; 80% reported to be under heavy

responsibilities (NAMI, 2015). Future generation’s health lies at an urgent cliff, so does mental

health care service in institutions for higher education. This paper will further explore the

barriers of the issue and from there showing the importance of college students’ perception

toward mental health accessibility in the U.S.

Findings in previous literature indicate that students reported to prefer dealing with

mental problems by themselves, time-consuming to seek for treatments, and perceiving problems

as usual chronic stress (Miranda et al. 2015). Interesting statistics show that 58% of students

think they could handle their problems on their own; 36% hesitate to get help regarding social

barriers; and 24% do not know where to find mental counseling access (Miranda et al., 2015).

Bower et al. (2012)’s research implies that stigmatized views are increased as students have less

knowledge toward mental health. They further emphasize that students’ perception of stigma and

the feelings of fear, and embarrassment are the most two common social barriers which college

THe perception of college students toward mental health accessibility in the U.s. 3

students face while they seek for mental health services. There are two main themes appear

within students’ perception of stigma.

First, college students are reported to feel more shame to their family due to the negative

perception, especially among racial/ethnic minorities groups (Bower et al., 2012). For example,

major mood disorders like depression have concerned many researchers as its general simply

symptoms yet numerous serious outcomes. Depression has been considered as a common serious

illness which individuals would feel despondent and helplessness, detach from the world for a

long period of time. This disorder has been becoming a social issue as not all culture view it as a

serious mental illness (Leung et al. 2012). According to data from 16 National Violent Death

Reporting System, over 23.8% of people in the U.S. decided to commit suicide for antidepressant

in 2010 (CDC, 2015). Although depression is not the main cause of suicide attempts among

Americans, the majority of suicide attempts is from adolescents who have been suffering from

depression (Strongman, 2006). Most adolescents with depression are reported to prefer trying to

maintain positive health image rather than admit have been affected by mental health problem

(Leung et al., 2012). Leung et al. (2012) further stated in their research that the most common

stereotype they might face would be mental illness is normally controlled by some unknown

spiritual forces. For instance, Chinese American parents held a strong “sense of shame” as their

children present psychological problems following reducing motivation to seek for help in the

children (Lou & Takeuchi, 2001). Findings on help seeking behaviors in Leung et al.’s research

(2012) also showed that this ethnic group reported little attention toward mental health services.

Social supports such as family are proven to have moderate to high effectiveness in reducing

anxiety, stress, and other related psychological problems over time (Renner et al., 2012). It is

important for parents to be more active in help-offering attitudes. Flexibilities in cultural

THe perception of college students toward mental health accessibility in the U.s. 4

adaptive behaviors combine with flexibilities in parenting methods might break the gap between

miscommunication of the two generations in the family. Therefore, help-seeking attitudes in

students with mental issues might increase.

Second, peer’s behaviors and instructors’ behaviors are the most two concerning

problems regarding stigmatization of students in term of school (Bower et al. 2012). The gap

between communication between students and mental health care providers tells somewhat about

mental health resources of U.S institutions for higher education. Statistics about mental

accessibility shows that only one third of U.S.’s institutions for higher education available for

counseling services, the other one-third do not have psychiatrist services available for students,

and 13% of campuses among these institutions serve only general health service (Meilman et al.,

2015). Then question would be addressed: What makes the U.S. health care system struggle in

providing mental health services for colleges? Meilman et al. (2015) indicates in their study that

the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is yet still wrestling with balancing and sustaining

models for funding mental health services. In addition, mental health providers also cope with

medication management issues among students. Side-effects of some medication for mental

issues might lead to possibility of substance abuse for those students with poor mental health

conditions. Past literature reported that students regularly seek for prescription stimulant drugs in

order to focus better in a competitive academic environment (Meilman et al., 2015). In other

words, there is a number of students who do not actually care about their mental conditions but

seeking for counseling services for prescription to these drugs. New research has found that 17%

of adolescents that ages of 18 to 25 reported abusing at least one prescription stimulant drug once

in their lifetime (Feliz, 2014). Drugs such as Adderall, Ritalin, and Vyvanse which are widely

prescribed for ADHD patients are generally misused and abused by college students nowadays.

THe perception of college students toward mental health accessibility in the U.s. 5

Meilman et al. (2015) suggested that practicing both physical and mental health service should

be broadened in those institutions for higher education to develop access for medical

consultation, specialized therapy, community outreach and many other services within the

system.

Perhaps, students who decide the future economic of a nations deserve to have better

mental health service. Kranke et al. (2010) found that stigmatization associated with mental

illness can be reduced by communication with peers and supportive attitudes from family.

Vulnerable students need to acknowledge that they don’t have to suffer the illness themselves.

More than that, they need to know that they are listened. Financial concerns for therapeutic

treatments could be solved by parents or insurance companies. Flexible scheduling options or a

timeline-limited basis should be offered for students during their sessions. Public education

campaigns about substance abuse among young adults should be widely held. Although some

research about mental health access for college students might show several limitations, it is not

fair to deny the efforts of the U.S. system put in some projects for students. In 2010, the

Affordable Care Act (ACA) opened an implementation for college students in order to improve

community engagement of college students toward health care service. ACA emerged on what

students needs within the community and then explored their interest in providing enrollment

assistant as a learning and volunteer opportunity (Greens et al., 2014). By 2013, they successful

recruited a number of college students and some faculty members for Certified Application

Counselors. Tasks for the projects including enrollment assistance, expanding network by

connecting faculty in nursing and other social work programs from many other local institutions,

and from then, forming a strong reliable cross-institutional relationship. Students and faculty

members enrolled for the project were trained to apply sociological concepts to practical research

THe perception of college students toward mental health accessibility in the U.s. 6

process. This action of ACA was considered commendable as the use in teaching health

professions was increasing (Green et al., 2014). A stronger bond between health care

organizations and institutions within the community has been made across the states and region.

The perception of college students toward mental health accessibility in the U.S. need to

be reinforced with more help from the government and deserve to be paid more attention from

the parents and the community. A person needs social supports such as professionals, family,

friends to help him/her point out the potential of self-development he/she already earned or the

problems he/she needs to solve. Depending on theoretical strategies, help from professional

psychological experts, and social support, group of college students can grow and change in

order to pursue a healthy life and productive academic experience.

THe perception of college students toward mental health accessibility in the U.s. 7

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