Shayla Carroll
-one of the authors: Daphne C. Watkins
2. Watkins, D., Hunt, J., Eisenberg, D. “Increased demand for mental health services on college campuses: Perspectives from administrators.” Qualitative Social Work, Vol.11, No. 3, 2011, pp. 319-337.
3. This research article sought out the changes in demand in mental health services. What is particularly interesting about this article is that the responses are coming from the administrators, not the students, of ten different colleges. The obvious increase in severity of mental health concerns in college students was characterized by four themes. The first is an increase in the severity of mental health concerns and demand for services, the second is the overall psychosocial differences in today's college student population, the third is the changes in roles of counseling centers, and the fourth is the institutional challenges and the responses to the challenges. These conclusions came from the responses the mental health centers provided to the researchers.
The questions asked include, " How has the demand for services, and actual provision of services, changed in the past 5 years? How have you dealt with this increase? What barriers have been present? What are the perceived reasons for changes in the demand for services? What are the most significant challenges with respect to student mental health? How are you dealing with these challenges?
The responses to these questions fueled this research article. Reasons for this increase according to some administrators include increase in severity of mental health across people in general, increased alcohol and drug use, and people with mental health issues now feel like they are able to attend college. Administrators commented on millennials being more competitive than older generations, and not understanding how to fail-- which can lead to increase in anxiety and depression. As counseling centers begin to fill up, a main common way the schools seem to coping is by using group therapy. These administrators commented on a variety of potential ways to help with the increase, but explain that they still run into problems because of physical space and money.
4. Daphne C Watkins is the director of a PhD program at the University of Michigan.This program is a joint program in Social Work and Social Science. Watkins has done plenty of research in the mental health field.
Justin Hunt is the director of the University of Arkansas Faculty Wellness program and the Medical Director of a new healthcare center. He is a psychiatrist and mental health services researcher, who has had lots of experience in the field of psychology and medicine.
Daniel Eisenberg is also a member of the University of Michigan team, who's name has come up in my literature review before. Daniel Eisenberg is a Stanford Graduate who is currently a professor, and also the director of the doctoral program of Health Services Organization and Policy at UM. His goal in research is to "improve understanding of how to invest effectively and efficiently in the mental health of young people."
5. Some key terms used in this article were college counseling centers and psychosocial factors. The college counseling centers are where this study received its information and interviews from. The researchers interviewed people who would work with the students, making them a valid source of information. Psychosocial factors are factors that encompass both social and psychological factors, such as peer pressure and being predisposed for a psychological disorder. Many things come together that cause someone to seek out help at a counseling center.
6. One important quote is given my an administrator from a college, the administrator says "... one thing this past year, there’s been a real up kick in drug use on our campus.... We’ve got more poly-substance abuse going on, at least that the kids are reporting to us as counselors. We’re seeing more students with toxic blood-alcohol levels...." I plan to link this to the social drinking article.
Another quote states, "...I think that this is a generation that has grown up relying heavily on having things done for them; participating in structured activities, etc., and being a relatively dependent group and one that’s, you know, closer to the apron strings than previous generations. That translates into people breaking down with more frequency and more willingness to ask for help and to expect help to be there." This is an important quote because it shows that a potential reason for the increase in students seeking out help stems from millennials just being, well, millennials.
Regarding another potential reason for increase, an administrator says "Lowered [mental illness] stigma among college students and their parents regarding mental health services [has led to increased services] for sure." This is important because it shows why so many college students are open to getting help -- that is because the stigma of mental health has decreased, so the students know they are not alone, they know they are not crazy, and they know they will not be judged for getting help.
7. This article is extremely valuable to my research question. Part of my research question focuses on why there has been such an increase in students going to counseling centers. This article gives insight from administrators from a variety of counseling centers. This gives first hand opinions on why this increase has occurred, which i can tie into other articles i have found to prove that the opinions these administrators have are valid reasons. Facts and percentages are needed, but it is always good to be backed up with actual clinical evidence from people who have experience in the field. The quotes also give good ways this increase can be brought under control. I can use this article in many parts of paper, not just one, which I think will help to create a better flow.
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