College Students and the Stigma in Mental Health

By: Richard Failla, Chief Executive Officer

Richard Failla

Reducing stigma in mental health can be as simple as asking for help from your college student health center. There is tremendous pressure on students today to take heavy academic schedules, engage in research projects, and complete comprehensive examinations all in a very short academic semester.

As the pressure and stress of being a student mount it is very easy to succumb to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Many students enter college today with a diagnosis of depression or anxiety.
Be sure you check in with the student health center so you can request a reasonable accommodation for mental health problems.

What does reasonable accommodation mean? It means you can get some consideration about when you take exams, or needing to take exams in a private setting should your anxiety make it difficult for you to sit in a crowded classroom. The Americans with Disabilities Act offers protection to students who are suffering with a diagnosed Mental Disorder. To qualify for academic accommodations you will need to apply through the Student Health Center and have been evaluated by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker. You will then need a statement from the person treating you about how the disorder affects your academic performance.