Students Still Struggling with Mental Health a Year into the COVID-19 Pandemic

Kaitlin Gallo, Ph.D.
Chief Clinical Officer, CCH

Despite significant efforts by college counseling centers to meet their students’ mental health needs during the ongoing pandemic, students are still coping with mental health concerns at high rates, according to the latest Student Voice survey conducted by Inside Higher Ed and College Pulse and presented by Kaplan. 

The Student Voice survey was conducted with 2,002 students from 116 colleges and universities (12.5% from two-year colleges) from March 15 to March 25, 2021. 53% of students reported that they felt worried, anxious, or scared about life either “often” or “constantly.” 65% of students said that their mental health was either “fair” or “poor.” 

While students report that they have been struggling, they are either not aware of college-provided resources or are unable to access them. Almost half (47%) of students said that they would have benefited from more support from their school during the previous year. Meanwhile, only 15% of students met with a clinician (in-person or remotely) in the counseling center. The survey authors note a number of reasons for the disconnect between the number of students who could benefit from on-campus mental health services and the number of students who are receiving them: stigma, lack of awareness of what is available, not thinking their concerns warrant professional support, inconvenient hours at the counseling center, wait times, inability to get after-hours support, lack of privacy for remote sessions, and cost concerns. 

Christie Campus Health’s CONNECT@College program can address each of the stated barriers to getting mental health services. Our customized campus awareness campaigns can decrease stigma, increase understanding of resources, and educate students about what options might be helpful to them, even if it’s not a session with a licensed clinician. Our 24/7 support line, remote and in-person treatment sessions, and psychiatric prescribing clinics can help students get clinical support without long wait times and on their schedules. All our program components are delivered free of charge to students so that they can get mental health support without having to worry about costs. 

Please reach out to info@christiecampus.com if you want to learn more about how our program can wrap around your school’s counseling center to provide more options for mental health services to more students.