Breaking the stigma

Mental illness deserving of campus attention

This week is national Mental Illness Awareness Week. Many college students struggle with depression, eating disorders, alcoholism or other mental illnesses. Consequently, mental health resources should be easily accessible. The same academic considerations given to those with physical illnesses should be extended to those with mental illness. Mental illnesses are no less serious than physical illness and can be successfully treated through counseling and medication. Unfortunately, an adequate safety net does not yet exist.

A government study released last spring conducted by the Centers for Disease Control revealed that ten percent of college age students have contemplated suicide, while a 1996 survey of college students found that only six percent of college students said they would seek help if they thought they had a problem with stress or depression. Furthermore, 20 percent of college age students thought their stress or depression level might be higher than normal. Unfortunately, some college students succeed in taking their own life; suicide is the third-leading cause of death among 15 to 24 year olds. Serious mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia often emerge during the college years, reinforcing the necessity of adequately funded and easily accessible mental health resources.

Indeed, a variety of mental health resources are available on campus at no cost for enrolled students. At UHS, clinicians can refer students to psychiatric specialists at no cost and Counseling and Psychological Services offers free counseling services to enrolled students. The University Hospitals also provides services for mental health emergencies: It maintains a 24-hour Psychiatric Emergency hotline (996-4747), which offers free consultation over the phone and assistance to walk-ins at the emergency room.

Several mental health events are scheduled for this week: As a part of Mental Illness Awareness Week, CAPS will be hosting a free depression screening and informational event on Oct. 5th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the second floor of the Michigan League. The department of Psychology is co-hosting a lecture, "Family Psychoeducation: Clinical and Functional Outcomes Over 20 Years" on Oct. 4th at 10:30 a.m. in the Maternity/Child Health Care Auditorium on the medical campus. Additionally, the student group Mentality is sponsoring a series of events this week to heighten awareness about mental health issues, including an information fair on the Diag on Friday.

Because many do not choose to seek help, everyone should be conscious of behavior changes in their friends and roommates and refer them to help if a problem is suspected. Professors should treat mental health emergencies with the same deference they treat physical health problems, granting extensions and exemptions for course work as they would someone physically ill. Virtually all mental illnesses are treatable and students should take advantage of the mental health resources here on campus.

Mental Illness

Awareness Week

Information

o Depression Screening:

Thursday, 10a.m.-3p.m, 2nd floor Michigan League

o Information Fair:

Sponsored by student group Mentality this Friday on the Diag.

o Psychiatric Emergency Hotline:

24/7 consultation hotline maintained by UHS: 996-4747

o Free resources: UHS offers a variety of free resources to enrolled students.

Serious mental Illnesses often emerge during the college years. Check out these events and resources if you or someone you know shows signs of mental illness.