The stress of college life is often looked at as an issue specific to each campus or student body. For the students at the University of Northern Colorado, the feeling is far more universal. The pressures that students face are shared by colleges across the country.
Data from the American College Health Association shows that more than 60% of college students experience overwhelming anxiety during the academic year. There are students who experience this firsthand that know the challenges of higher education are more than just academic.
The nonstop pace of college life, combined with academic demands and social pressures, can leave students feeling isolated. This only intensifies as final exams approach when workloads go up and social interaction goes down.
A majority of college students meet the criteria for at least one mental health concern, from anxiety and depression to more severe conditions. The process of going into college life plays a significant role in these outcomes in navigating new environments and responsibilities.
Isabella Chown, a second-year biomedical studies major at UNC, remembers that journey.
“Going to college is a huge transition,” Chown said. “My parents were now three hours away, and they were helping me financially, but I never had to do my own finances before. Plus, I had to find new friends, which was so hard.”
Moving away from family support systems can make it more difficult to cope with stress, particularly for first-year students who are still adjusting to independence.
Regional factors may also play a role. A dissertation conducted in 2022 by a UNC student found that mountainous regions consistently reported higher suicide rates than other areas. Northern Colorado schools may face higher risks of mental health struggles, increasing the need for support services.
In response, schools like UNC have increased their efforts to address and aid in student well-being. A range of programs are available to students to help manage stress and access the care they may need.
A primary resource is the Psychological Services Clinic located in McKee Hall. The clinic offers counseling services at reduced costs and does not apply a strict limit on the number of sessions students can do within a semester. This policy is designed to remove barriers for ongoing care.
John Hancock, the assistant vice president of wellness and support, says the university’s goal is to ensure students receive care.
“We’re doing everything we can to meet students where they are,” Hancock said. “We want to make sure they feel supported and cared for.”
Looking ahead, Hancock and his team are planning new initiatives to strengthen student connections early in the school year. The Radical Health program, which is expected to launch next year, aims to bring small groups of first-year students together. They will be supervised by trained student leaders in order to create a space for peer support and community building.
The program will begin on a small scale with one or two groups but could expand in the coming years if it shows success.
“Connection is a large part of mental health,” Hancock said. “This is us making sure students don’t feel as if they’re doing everything alone. Isolation is a main focus for us.”
In addition to new programs, the university is also working to raise awareness about existing resources. The Center for Student Well-Being, located in the University Center, offers a range of services from extra funds for school to food insecurity support.
Katie Brunetti is an undergraduate assistant working for the Center of Student Well-Being and encourages students to come by for help.
“We’re the scary, tucked away room to a lot of students, but we do actually help a lot of students, and we want to make sure people come to us if they need help,” Brunetti said.
This center puts an emphasis on the financial side of student stress. This is often an overlooked factor on the topic of student mental health. Every student needing assistance may be eligible for funding toward textbooks or supplies.
“Financial stress can be one of the biggest burdens students carry,” Brunetti said. “If we can ease that even a little, it can make a real difference.”
Addressing student mental health requires continued investment, so UNC and colleges everywhere need to maintain these efforts.
For students at UNC and everywhere else, the message saying they aren’t alone in their struggles is clear.