|

Mental Health Struggles Forcing Huge Number Of Students To Drop Out, Study Finds

A latest survey has brought to light that a huge number of college going students battle with stress and other mental health struggles, and that many out of them have considered dropping out early.

According to a study published by Gallup and the Lumina Foundation, two out of every five undergraduate students say that time and again they face psychological stress, while attending classes at college.

Gallup and the Lumina Foundation is a private organisation that conducted the survey in the fall of 2022. Their findings were based on the responses from 12,000 adults (both men and women) who had yet not completed their undergraduate degree.

Image Source: Pexels

More than 40% of the students who responded, said that it was mental and emotional stress that made them think about dropping out of college. Most students cited mental health struggles as the reason, far more than any other rationale like financial issues or difficult coursework.

Experts have also stated that mental health disorders like depression and anxiety among college students have been on the rise for a couple of years and that they have escalated even more since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Talking about mental health in colleges and schools is extremely important to support students. Various resources must be made available that benefits them.

man holding his head due to mental health struggles
Image Source: Pexels

Various Risk Factors That Could Cause Mental Health Struggles In College Students

Here are some situations that can cause significant stress in college students:

  • Genetic reasons.
  • Relationship complications.
  • Heavy workload.
  • Comparing ones academic performance with others.
  • Bullying.
  • Fear of disappointing parents.
  • Poor diet.
  • Handling numerous tasks at the same time.
mother calming her child
Image Source: Pexels

Dealing With Mental Health Struggles In College

The following tips can help maintain mental fitness in students:

  1. A Good Diet: Try including a few healthy stuff in your diet every week like fruits, vegetables, dry fruits, oats etc.
  2. Adequate Sleep: Getting appropriate amount of sleep should be a priority for students as it will help them stay focused and productive.
  3. Exercise: 30-60 minutes of exercise everyday can help improve mood and enhance academic performance.
  4. A Good Circle Of Friends: A good group of friends will make you feel safe, happy and positive in an unknown environment.
  5. Setting Small Goals: Multitasking can be overwhelming and thus, one must set small goals to avoid anxiety and procrastination.
  6. Being In Routine: Set a schedule for the day, week or month that you can easily follow.
  7. Ask For Help: Reach out to your friends, family or seniors if you feel overwhelmed in any situation.
silhouette of a girl running
Image Source: Pexels

Related: Studies Say Depression May Be Linked To Your Gut Bacteria

Ways Colleges & Universities Can Help Students

Educational institutions must be prepared to provide necessary resources and services for the mental wellbeing of students. Here are a few ways in which they can do so:

  1. Raising Awareness: Awareness should be spread about mental health struggles and the importance of destigmatizing seeking help when in trouble.
  2. Digital Services: Through technologies like smartphone apps, more students can reach out and seek support without any hesitation.
  3. Invite Speakers Or Hold Open Discussions: Inviting guest speakers for discussions will not only provide necessary knowledge about mental health to students but also break the stigma surrounding it.
  4. Have Counsellors On Campus: Mental professionals must be available on campus, just like any other medical professional.
  5. Conduct Frequent Surveys: Educational institutions should conduct offline or online wellbeing checks to determine the levels of stress in students and take necessary actions.
therapy session
Image Source: Pexels

Students must be well equipped with effective stress management techniques. Taking good care of their well being will ultimately benefit them academically and at personal level too. Challenges are inevitable but with the right mindset and coping strategies, things can be handled.

Similar Posts

One Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *