Mental health or financial stress: What’s holding college students back?

Concerns about money were among the top eight stressors that students deal with.

College student
Photo Credit: sovhealth.com

A leading virtual health and well-being provider for higher education, TimelyCare, has shed light on the critical challenges college students are currently facing. The recent study had over more than 1,200 students between the ages of 18 and 24 participating. The students revealed that mental health issues and financial stressors continue to dominate their concerns

The findings provide a clear call for action to improve holistic student support systems.

The arguments

The survey revealed a concerning increase in students’ mental health issues. Anxiety, despair, and stress are widespread, and most students considered them to be substantial obstacles to their performance. In light of this escalating situation, they held the view that institutions must take decisive steps.

Are Finances Adding Fuel to the Fire?

Another significant hardship that exacerbated students’ mental health issues was financial stress. Students stated they were feeling overburdened by the substantial obstacles to achievement that rising living expenses and student loan debt are causing.

Is There Hope for Change?

Students also exhibited resilience in the face of these obstacles, remaining hopeful about the future and offering a chance for intervention. Although there are still gaps, many people think their schools and universities are stepping up.

Are Holistic Solutions Effective?

The success of TimelyCare showed that comprehensive and easily accessible mental health care may benefit students in real ways. These interventions are beneficial to both students and institutions since they improve mental health outcomes and retention rates.

The facts

The survey stated that 71% of pupils now report having mental health problems, compared to 65% this year. More than half (58%) also say that their biggest stressor is their mental health.

Students who identified as LGBQ reported mental health issues at a significantly higher incidence (88%) than their heterosexual counterparts (66%).

73% of respondents, however, believed that having access to mental health services directly improved their chances of graduating.

According to 35% of students, the cost of living was a major source of stress when asked if money is making matters worse. Student loans and education expenses were a burden for 29% of the population. Concerns about money were among the top eight stressors that students deal with.

However, 69% of students believed that mental health is a top priority at their school.

Positive adjectives like “optimistic,” “excited,” and “hopeful” are are commonly used by students to describe their current outlook.

Mental health and financial stress are undeniable obstacles for today’s college students. But with effective, targeted solutions, institutions can empower students to overcome these challenges. Will they rise to the occasion?

 

 

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