Mentally Ill Invited to your College

[RMNIXON]

Mental Illness Strains School Counselors

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Across America, college counseling centers are strained by rising numbers of mentally ill students and surging demand for mental health services _ a challenging trend as campus officials try to identify potential threats like the unstable Virginia Tech gunman.

And even when serious emotional problems are detected, university officials often feel constrained in how they respond due to an array of laws and policies protecting students' rights and privacy.

"The number of people coming to colleges who've had psychiatric treatment has increased tremendously," said Dr. Gerald Kay, a psychiatry professor at Wright State University and chair of the American Psychiatric Association committee on college mental health.

"Now they're able to come to college _ that would not have been the case earlier," Kay said. "You've got a very large number of people who may have some vulnerabilities. It has stressed the availability of resources."

Reasons for the surge include the Americans with Disabilities Act, which gives mentally ill students the right to be at college, and increasingly sophisticated medications which enable them to function better than in the past.
Recent surveys and studies underscore the scope of the increase.

A survey last year by the American College Health Association found that 8.5 percent of students had seriously considered suicide, and 15 percent were diagnosed for depression, up from 10 percent in 2000. The Anxiety Disorders Association of America found that 13 percent of students at major universities and 25 percent at liberal arts colleges are using campus mental health services.

Dr. Chris Flynn, director of Virginia Tech's counseling center, has declined to discuss details of gunman Cho Seung-Hui's case, but said the center's staff _ which includes a psychiatrist and 11 psychologists _ treats about 2,000 students per school year.


Townhall.com::The News::News Article

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Now I know I need to comment, but I am far more interested in the College student and college age student opinion here. Like everyone, I think the ADA was sold to us about helping those in wheelchairs and the blind. I am all for that. But fine print can be very important. When "Disability" becomes alcohol, drugs, or mental illness that can harm others, we are not in the same picture!

[nbiggershaft]

Originally Posted by RMNIXON

Mental Illness Strains School Counselors

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Across America, college counseling centers are strained by rising numbers of mentally ill students and surging demand for mental health services _ a challenging trend as campus officials try to identify potential threats like the unstable Virginia Tech gunman.

And even when serious emotional problems are detected, university officials often feel constrained in how they respond due to an array of laws and policies protecting students' rights and privacy.

"The number of people coming to colleges who've had psychiatric treatment has increased tremendously," said Dr. Gerald Kay, a psychiatry professor at Wright State University and chair of the American Psychiatric Association committee on college mental health.

"Now they're able to come to college _ that would not have been the case earlier," Kay said. "You've got a very large number of people who may have some vulnerabilities. It has stressed the availability of resources."

Reasons for the surge include the Americans with Disabilities Act, which gives mentally ill students the right to be at college, and increasingly sophisticated medications which enable them to function better than in the past.
Recent surveys and studies underscore the scope of the increase.

A survey last year by the American College Health Association found that 8.5 percent of students had seriously considered suicide, and 15 percent were diagnosed for depression, up from 10 percent in 2000. The Anxiety Disorders Association of America found that 13 percent of students at major universities and 25 percent at liberal arts colleges are using campus mental health services.

Dr. Chris Flynn, director of Virginia Tech's counseling center, has declined to discuss details of gunman Cho Seung-Hui's case, but said the center's staff _ which includes a psychiatrist and 11 psychologists _ treats about 2,000 students per school year.


Townhall.com::The News::News Article

__________________________________________________ ______________


Now I know I need to comment, but I am far more interested in the College student and college age student opinion here. Like everyone, I think the ADA was sold to us about helping those in wheelchairs and the blind. I am all for that. But fine print can be very important. When "Disability" becomes alcohol, drugs, or mental illness that can harm others, we are not in the same picture!

In the opinion of a college age student, anyone who has a right to into a grocer and buy a pack of eggs should have a right to attend college. I'm not sure what the alternative is, kicking out anyone who has recieved mental health care?

As a college student who has struggled with depression for 10 years now, I am offended that anyone should suggest that I not go to college because of it.

I am curious as to how the statistics compare to the rest of the population (for depression and mental health treatment).

[grembert]

The big problem here is that once students are admitted into colleges, as far as their mental health, past behavior, or medical records are concerned, they are just about " untouchable " because of privacy laws. I mean there is no real sharing of information between medical professionals, teachers, and parents about potential problems on a college campus. That is going to have to change.

Originally Posted by grembert

The big problem here is that once students are admitted into colleges, as far as their mental health, past behavior, or medical records are concerned, they are just about " untouchable " because of privacy laws. I mean there is no real sharing of information between medical professionals, teachers, and parents about potential problems on a college campus. That is going to have to change.

Who defines what a potential problem is? I'll admit that I would be more than uneasy with my medical records being shared with anyone simply because I deal with depression.

[grembert]

Originally Posted by 03 white zx3

Who defines what a potential problem is? I'll admit that I would be more than uneasy with my medical records being shared with anyone simply because I deal with depression.

There is a big difference between depression and what this guy had at VT. Teachers knew it, health professionals knew it, and ( I think ) even the courts knew it. But there was no communication about what should be done for him. Under our present system, health professionals can not force someone to get counseling. But if a truely mentally ill person won't get help, then the college officials need to be brought in to decide what to do.

Originally Posted by grembert

There is a big difference between depression and what this guy had at VT. Teachers knew it, health professionals knew it, and ( I think ) even the courts knew it. But there was no communication about what should be done for him. Under our present system, health professionals can not force someone to get counseling. But if a truely mentally ill person won't get help, then the college officials need to be brought in to decide what to do.

The article specifically mentioned depression, which is why I brought it up. I completely agree with you.

[grembert]

Originally Posted by 03 white zx3

The article specifically mentioned depression, which is why I brought it up. I completely agree with you.

Yes, the article grouped anxiety, depression and mental illness together which is misleading. Many of those issues can be dealt with easily on college campuses but some can not.

[RMNIXON]

Originally Posted by nbiggershaft

In the opinion of a college age student, anyone who has a right to into a grocer and buy a pack of eggs should have a right to attend college. I'm not sure what the alternative is, kicking out anyone who has recieved mental health care?

Are you trying to suggest a college does not discriminate? Try GPA and other factors. I am not suggesting they should screen people for mental problems. But when you have a guy who was declaired by the court to be a danger to himself and others, and you just give them meds and send them on their merry way? And you don't know who you are rooming with in your dorm or who is in the seat next to you because we have "privacy laws" I think we go too far not to discriminate.

[RMNIXON]

Originally Posted by 03 white zx3

As a college student who has struggled with depression for 10 years now, I am offended that anyone should suggest that I not go to college because of it.

I am curious as to how the statistics compare to the rest of the population (for depression and mental health treatment).

No, I am not suggesting this and I am glad you have responed to the post. I don't want people like yourself lumped in with someone who might be a danger to others. But I don't want "that" person coddled in the same catagory as you. That is why we need to debate this in the open.

[grembert]

Originally Posted by RMNIXON

No, I am not suggesting this and I am glad you have responed to the post. I don't want people like yourself lumped in with someone who might be a danger to others. But I don't want "that" person coddled in the same catagory as you. That is why we need to debate this in the open.

I agree with you about this. Information about a student's mental health problems needs to be found out up, on the college application. Some applying might complain, but they will just have to get use to it. Then the college administrators can decide on a case by case basis what to do about those problems. It's not that complicated.