Mental health conditions have doubled over the past decades on college campuses. It is estimated that one-third of college students screen positive for anxiety, mood, or substance use disorder. Unfortunately, few college students receive treatment for any of these conditions. Alcohol use is the most common substance among young adults; 34%-53 % of young adults report engaging in hazardous alcohol use. Hazardous alcohol use and mental health conditions, especially among college students, are associated with negative consequences such as risk to physical and psychological health, academic performance, and interpersonal problems. This study aims to expand on preexisting literature by examining barriers to and benefits of mental health services in college students.
This study consisted of 891 incoming college students. Bassline surveys were conducted in August 2018, follow-up survey 1 in December 2019, follow-up survey 2 in May 2020, and follow-up survey 3 in September 2020. Depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, hazardous alcohol use, co-occurring conditions, mental health service utilization (MHSU), perceived barriers to and benefits of MHSU, and demographics were all measured in this study. Intervention randomization consisted of 300 in an assessment-only control condition group and the other 591 in an intervention condition.
Results of this study showed that roughly 40% of students with mental health symptoms and under 25% of hazardous drinkers reported MHSU in the past three months. This study also suggests that MHSU use is rising, but it is still much lower than rates of mental health conditions and hazardous alcohol use. Cost was the most reported barrier, while improved mental health was the most reported benefit. Females reported more often than males on cost, lack of insurance, and not knowing where to go for help as barriers, and increased communication as a benefit. Those students experiencing depression or anxiety symptoms often reported more barriers than students without those symptoms. These findings highlight the need for campus administrators to address these barriers to increase MHSU use among students.
Takeaway: Cost was the most reported barrier, while improved mental health was the most reported benefit. Females reported more often than males on cost, lack of insurance, and not knowing where to go for help as barriers, and increased communication as a benefit.