UNBELIEVABLE: Funny college confessions memes - The Untold Story

Many of these memes shed light on the mental state of many college students, albeit in a tongue-in-cheek manner. And according to the American Psychological Association, student mental health has worsened over the years. 

The APA notes that in the 2020-2021 school year, more than 60% of college students “met the criteria for at least one mental health problem.” Another survey revealed that “almost three-quarters” of students admitted to being in “moderate or severe psychological stress.” 

According to the APA, many colleges and universities have addressed the surge in demand for mental health care. As University of Virginia dean Michael Gerard Mason revealed, the counseling staff in their institution has “almost tripled” in size. However, he also admitted that the increased hiring efforts still would not suffice. 

“Even if we continue hiring, I don’t think we could ever staff our way out of this challenge,” Mason stated.

Depression is one mental issue that many college students are dealing with. According to a report by the Mayo Health Clinic System, a 2021-2022 survey of students across 133 campuses revealed that 44% admitted to symptoms of depression. More alarmingly, 15% “seriously” considered harming themselves. 

The report noted that rising education costs are one of the leading stressors among students, which becomes a key factor in their mental struggles. They also face immense pressure from their families, who push them to their limits “as early as elementary school.”

According to the American Psychiatric Association, many in the education sector are doing their part to provide college students with better access to mental health services. University at Albany School of Public Health researcher Brett Harris also shared his recommendations, which include making mental health promotion a campus-wide effort. 

Other recommendations from Harris focus on involving students, faculty, and staff in the development and implementation of mental health campaigns, as well as collaborating with outside organizations and within the community. 

From their end, students can also take proactive steps in promoting mental wellness. According to the APA, some of them include communicating their needs to instructors, connecting with peers on campus through organizations, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through ample sleep and a balanced, nutritious diet. 

To know more about the seeming mental health decline among college students, we spoke with Dr. Gail Saltz, an associate professor of Psychiatry at the New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell School of Medicine. She did confirm that social media use – mainly in excess – has been a key contributor to the rising mental health conditions among young people.

“Overly competitive feelings, addiction to scrolling, curating rather than being present in your life contributed to feelings of distance, sadness, anxiousness, and especially social anxiety,” Dr. Saltz told Bored Panda. 

Dr. Saltz made another crucial point: students tend to spend more time scrolling on social media than interacting with their peers in real life, yet their poor mental health remains a mystery to many of them.

“The addictive nature of social media may also play a negative role, over time increasing distractibility and decreasing the ability to focus on something for a longer period, which interferes with learning and coursework,” Dr. Saltz stated. 

So, how can students maintain their mental well-being in the era of social media? Dr. Saltz’s first piece of advice is to go on a “diet” of at least 15 minutes per day. She also encourages veering away from apps to keep the focus on real-life relationships.

A person’s college years are supposedly one of the most colorful times in their lives. Dr. Saltz encourages students to maximize their experience by socializing with like-minded individuals who are more interested in face-to-face interactions. 

Exercising has been proven to improve mental health, something Dr. Saltz also advises. Specifically, she recommends 30 minutes of aerobic work three times a week to decrease depressive episodes and improve anxiety.

Of course, there will come a point when professional help will be necessary. According to Dr. Saltz, it is when symptoms have become too prevalent. 

“If you find you are sad, lonely, anxious, a good chunk of each day- make a counseling center appointment to get a read on whether you could benefit from some mental health care right now.”