Kylena Marney

4/15/16
Writing 2010; Jessie Richards
Contribution Paper Draft
Mental Illness is not Insanity
Introduction (3-4 pages)
In overviewing the conversation surrounding mental health issues such as anxiety and
depression in college students, the general topics which are discussed the most frequently are the
causes of mental health issues in college students, the consequences of those issues, and what
colleges can do (or are doing) to help those students with mental health problems.
There are many factors that could potentially contribute to mental health issues in college
students, such as financial instability, personal relationship problems, sexual orientation,
substance abuse, feeling alone, low self-efficacy, high levels of stress, or the development of a
significant mental disorder (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc.).
Financial issues. Personal relationships can dramatically influence a students mental
health. For example, a study published in 2014 found that dysfunctional relationships between
college roommates are closely associated with their negative emotions and with their adjustment
to college life (Erb, 54). Another factor that may strongly influence a students mental health is
sexual orientation. Students who are bisexual, gay, lesbian, or who are unsure of their sexuality
consistently reported higher levels of mental health problems than heterosexual students
(Oswalt). Substance abuse. Self-efficacy, defined by Albert Bandura, is ones belief in ones
ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task. A student with low self-efficacy

might believe that he or she is incapable of being successful, and is therefore less likely to
challenge him or herself. Development of a significant mental disorder.
Most often, mental health problems result in poor academic performance, substance
abuse, and/or worse mental health problems, potentially leading to suicide. Suicide is currently
the second leading cause of death among college students, with about 1,088 students dying by
suicide each year (Taub and Thompson, 5). According to Deborah J. Taub and Jalonda Thompson
in their article, College Student Suicide, the estimated rate of attempted suicide is somewhere
between 100 and 200 for every completed suicide and around 90 to 95 percent of those who
die by suicide have some form of treatable mental disorder at the time of their deaths.
Over the past few decades, there have been rapidly increasing numbers of students being
diagnosed with mental health issues. More specifically, at the eleven schools that comprise the
Big Ten conference, there has been roughly a 42% increase in the number of students seen in
the counseling centers between the years 1992 and 2002 (Voelker). Because of this rapid growth
in demand for counseling and treatment, there are ever fewer resources for those students who
need them. (Baker, Brown, Cleary, Hunt, Mackaskill, Ratanasiripong, Voelker, Zimmerman)
How colleges are falling short. Baker, Mackaskill?, Voelker.
How Colleges are helping. Gruttadore, Larovic, Ratanasiripong, Zimmerman, Leggett
How colleges can help more. Brown, DeKruyf, Hunt, Leggett, Skead? Zimmerman
Stigma surrounding mental health problems. Costa, Phelan.
The stigma surrounding mental health needs to be addressed more frequently, more
directly, and more seriously in a way that is relevant to multiple age groups, especially college
students.
Body (4-6 pages)

Do it.
**It is estimated that more than half of adults with mental illnesses do not receive
treatment, despite the availability of treatment options (Downs). It is also noted that among
college populations, fewer than 1 in 4 students with any mental disorder and less than half of
students screening positive for major depression or anxiety disorders receive sufficiently
frequent mental health services (Downs). Although it is estimated that 9 out of 10 students who
commit suicide have mental illnesses, according to the most recent National Survey of
Counseling Center Directors, 81% of college students known to have died by suicide in the
previous year were never seen by campus mental health services (Downs). (Downs Help
Seeking and Treatment Use among Suicidal College Students)
**Talks more about the individual experiences of several Community College students
with mental health problems. (Andrade Community College Students Experiences of MentalHealth Stigma: A Phenomenological Study)
**Study. Looks at the relationship between perceived personal and public stigma and a
students help-seeking behaviors. Takes into consideration the variable of social desirability
(Pompeo College Students perceived and personal mental health stigma: the influence on helpseeking attitudes and intentions).
**Study. People who do not have the intention of seeking help have significantly higher
stigma levels than people who do have the intention of seeking psychological help (Bullett
Mental Health Stigma and Help Seeking among College Students).
*Students who tend to label others as mentally ill tend to view those people as dangerous, and
generally desire more social distance between them and the mentally ill person (Phelan). On
the other hand, students who showed more empathy were more likely to label the mentally ill

person, but desired less social distance (Phelan). (Phelan College Students Attitudes toward
Mental Illness: An Examination of the Stigma Process).
*Provides several good suggestions for struggling and stressed-out students (Costa Your
Mental Health is More Important than Your Grades)
**Talks about possible ways to reduce the stigma in college students and their
effectiveness (Yamaguchi Effects of Short-Term Interventions to Reduce Mental Health-Related
Stigma in University or College Students: A Systematic Review).
**Study. Looks at the priorities of a mental health support group: illness awareness,
community improvement and stigma change. Concludes that the organization should collaborate
with student energized efforts to destigmatize and promote help-seeking behavior (Michaels
Mental Health Priorities: Stigma Elimination and Community Advocacy in College Settings).
In general, the stigma that college students hold towards mental health issues is not
discussed or discouraged strongly enough. This leads to students avoiding the treatment that they
need. In order to destigmatize mental health in a college setting and spread awareness, student
organizations should use student-focused posters and other media more frequently and in public
places.
Conclusion (1-2 pages)
Summarize your previous points, restate your thesis, and talk about the so what. Say what you
did.