http://www.thesheaf.com/2009/11/10/students-at-risk-of-mental-illness/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:51:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://www.thesheaf.com/2009/11/10/students-at-risk-of-mental-illness/#comment-1907 Alfredo Zotti Sun, 04 Apr 2010 22:54:20 +0000 http://thesheaf.com/?p=1788#comment-1907 All this is very interesting and informative. As a mental health advocate I can say that Universities are places where there is much Stigma and Prejudice. What is most alarming is that this stigma is very hidden; everything possible must be done to bring it to the light. It is important to reduce stigma in Universities and I feel that not much is done in this area. My personal action research indicates that stigma in Universities is unacceptable and that Universities need to change so that the society at large can be properly educated. This is the most important issue I feel. About 25% of students in any University will suffer from some form of mental disorder. It is understood today that the majorities of mental disorders spring directly from traumatic childhood experiences. Individuals who develop mental disorders do have a predisposition for its acquisition but the severity of their disorder can be drastically reduced by reducing stigma and by adequate support. Our society, especially Universities, is prejudiced against those who suffer with mental disorders and this is the real barrier to better mental health in our world today. We should not worry about what causes mental disorders or why this is happening. We should worry about what to do to reduce the amount of suffering and the hopelessness. This is only possible if we reduce stigma. All this is very interesting and informative. As a mental health advocate I can say that Universities are places where there is much Stigma and Prejudice. What is most alarming is that this stigma is very hidden; everything possible must be done to bring it to the light. It is important to reduce stigma in Universities and I feel that not much is done in this area. My personal action research indicates that stigma in Universities is unacceptable and that Universities need to change so that the society at large can be properly educated. This is the most important issue I feel. About 25% of students in any University will suffer from some form of mental disorder. It is understood today that the majorities of mental disorders spring directly from traumatic childhood experiences. Individuals who develop mental disorders do have a predisposition for its acquisition but the severity of their disorder can be drastically reduced by reducing stigma and by adequate support. Our society, especially Universities, is prejudiced against those who suffer with mental disorders and this is the real barrier to better mental health in our world today. We should not worry about what causes mental disorders or why this is happening. We should worry about what to do to reduce the amount of suffering and the hopelessness. This is only possible if we reduce stigma.

]]> http://www.thesheaf.com/2009/11/10/students-at-risk-of-mental-illness/#comment-669 Greg Beattie Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:22:18 +0000 http://thesheaf.com/?p=1788#comment-669 It is important to note that the typical student lifestyle mentioned in this article is only one of the factors affecting student mental health today. There are many other mental health risk factors including: financial stress, social stress, limited or inadequate social networks, limited or inadequate social skills, parental invovlement or over-involvement (two edge sword), pre-existing mental health problems (many more student are on medication when they enter university or college), academic competition, unclear career goals, personal risk factors (low self esteem, poor stress management, etc.).....and the list goes on. To suggest that the typical student lifestyle is significant without mentioning other factors of equal or greater significance paints an incomplete picture. Student life today is very complex and difficult. Universities need to recognize this and provide adequate supports for students. Students don't need to be further stigmatized. It is important to note that the typical student lifestyle mentioned in this article is only one of the factors affecting student mental health today. There are many other mental health risk factors including: financial stress, social stress, limited or inadequate social networks, limited or inadequate social skills, parental invovlement or over-involvement (two edge sword), pre-existing mental health problems (many more student are on medication when they enter university or college), academic competition, unclear career goals, personal risk factors (low self esteem, poor stress management, etc.)…..and the list goes on. To suggest that the typical student lifestyle is significant without mentioning other factors of equal or greater significance paints an incomplete picture. Student life today is very complex and difficult. Universities need to recognize this and provide adequate supports for students. Students don’t need to be further stigmatized.

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