Supporting Minds at Michigan
Are U-M’s mental health resources enough?
—By Benjamin Seymour
The Michigan Union hums with chatter as students hurry to class or find a quick bite to eat. On the surface, it would seem like a rather typical college setting; for many students, however, the real struggle is silent; a personal battle with anxiety, self-doubt, or homesickness.
College students face escalating mental health challenges, with national surveys revealing rising rates of anxiety, depression, and burnout. Students at the University of Michigan often feel that the pressure is insurmountable, but they strive to overcome it. Questions persist about whether these services are sufficient, accessible, and all-embracing even though the University provides various mental health resources. This investigation digs into these important issues as it aims to understand whether U- M is meeting the needs of a varied student body or whether some are being left behind.
Understanding the need
The number of students who suffer mental health challenges has risen dramatically in recent years. “Nearly 40% of college students report experiencing depression, and 60% feel overwhelming anxiety,” explains Dr. Brenda Volling, Professor of Psychology at U-M. “While stress can drive growth, unmanaged stress can quickly spiral into chronic mental health problems.” Of course, this is not a problem native to U-M. In an article for the American Psychological Association, Zara Abrams talks about how the demand for mental health services at many universities across the country is outpacing the supply of these services. “Even before the pandemic, schools were facing a surge in demand for care that far outpaced capacity.”
Services at U-M
U-M’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is the cornerstone of mental health support on campus. According to the 2023-2024 CAPS annual report, they offer individual, group, and couples counseling, crisis intervention, and workshops, scheduling over 4,000 appointments with 380 students in the past year.
For this, I spoke with a CAPS user, who is an anonymous sophomore studying at the college of LSA. “The therapists I worked with were kind and professional,” he said, “but the wait time for my first appointment was a week and a half.” The University has also launched programs like Well-being Collectives, peer-led support groups, and initiatives aimed at destigmatizing mental health conversations. Despite these efforts, gaps persist.
As the demand for mental health services exceeds its supply, many universities, like U-M, continue to seek out alternatives. Virtual platforms like MiTalk provide students with flexible, accessible care, though experts stress they should complement, not replace, traditional counseling for building strong therapist relationships. In an article for VeryWellMind, Kendra Cherry describes the pros and cons of online therapy. “If using text-based therapy, your therapists cannot see facial expressions, vocal signals, or body language.”
Challenges and stigma
While efforts have been made at the University of Michigan to increase the resources for mental health, significant challenges lie ahead in how cultural and systemic barriers impede students from seeking help. Many of these barriers result simply from stigma, lack of awareness, or even fear of the process of mental health care.
There is a great stigma related to receiving mental health care, especially within high-pressure settings like U-M. “You feel like you’re supposed to be thriving here because everyone around you seems to be doing so well,” said Evan Southerland, a freshman in the College of Engineering. “Asking for help can feel like you’re falling short.” In some ways, this is exacerbated by the competitive atmosphere at U-M, which can perpetuate perfectionism and stigma around vulnerability.
Additional challenges have faced students coming from underrepresented communities. Cultural stigma and distrust of mental health services stand in the way of those seeking care. An anonymous junior majoring in public health said that family members do not often talk about mental health. “When I told my parents I was thinking about therapy, they didn’t understand why. To them, it felt shameful.” Besides, those students who do reach out for help might find it difficult to get providers who can relate to their singular experiences. While U-M touts cultural competency, there are still some gaps in matching students with therapists who fit their needs.
Logistical barriers also dissuade students from pursuing counseling: long wait times for appointments create a sense of futility for students who may already feel overwhelmed by their struggles. “I felt like I was screaming into the void waiting for my appointment,” said the anonymous LSA sophomore. And where care is available, navigating the system can be intimidating, especially for first-time users unfamiliar with mental health resources.
For men, societal expectations often compound the stigma with the “man up” mentality. There’s this unspoken rule that guys should just deal with their problems alone. It makes it hard to admit when you need help.
Addressing these challenges requires more than expanding services, it demands a cultural shift. Programs aimed at normalizing the conversation about mental health, from peer-to-peer programs to awareness campaigns, have made inroads, but remain met with resistance. Students say greater visibility and support among faculty and staff could further break down barriers. “When professors openly talk about the importance of mental health, it makes you feel less alone,” said Southerland.
Diverse needs and unique challenges
While the student body at U-M is diverse, research has documented that students from underrepresented groups have many distinctive barriers to mental health.
“Students from underserved communities sometimes distrust the mental health system or face cultural stigmas around seeking help,” explains Melissa Webster, a senior social work manager who collaborates with U-M students. “Even when they do seek care, they might not find a provider who understands their specific needs.”
Addressing these disparities has to include culturally competent care, which U-M must continue to emphasize. “It’s important to realize that one size does not fit all in mental health,” says Webster. This training of therapists in the areas of cultural differences should result in better outcomes for students. Further, peer support programs and the chance for mentorship from fellow students of similar backgrounds could help bridge the gap for those resistant to counseling. By scaling up these efforts, U-M will be better equipped to ensure that all students are receiving the necessary mental health services.
Innovative solutions
Universities everywhere are experimenting with innovations in mental health care. The University of Wisconsin-Madison instituted Let’s Talk, which offers casual, drop-in consultations with counselors stationed around campus. This model reduces wait times and provides a less intimidating entry point for students who might otherwise be reluctant to show up for formal therapy.
Similarly, Stanford University’s Bridge Peer Counseling Center provides confidential peer support 24/7. These are run by students and augment professional counseling services by reducing the stigma around mental health conversations.
Another well-considered initiative at U-M is the peer-led support groups that target the needs of specific students in terms of stress management, anxiety reduction, and grief counseling. These groups offer a less formal and accessible arena in which students can speak candidly about experiences related to mental health. As Webster defines it, “Peer support programs create a sense of community and allow students to feel understood by others who are facing similar challenges.” By fostering these student-led initiatives, U-M creates multiple avenues through which students can take part in mental health care in a manner that feels far more approachable and less stigmatized.
Beyond U-M
The mental health challenges at the University of Michigan are not isolated incidents, but rather part of a broader, national crisis. As a public health concern, mental health has increased gradually among all age groups, including the young adult population. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “It is estimated that more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness,” with anxiety and depression topping that list. These statistics have spiraled into a full-blown crisis, fueled by various factors including economic pressure, social isolation, and post-pandemic COVID-19, where mental health problems saw unprecedented increases.
According to a report from the American College Health Association, many of the psychological struggles that students at universities such as U-M are facing are an extension of the much bigger problems faced by young adults throughout the country. However, one thing remains different: access to mental health treatment. Compared to college campuses, many young adults have less access to resources and experience much longer wait times for care, because mental health systems are understaffed in most parts of the country.
Social media has exacerbated the worsening situation in mental health. According to an article written by McLean Hospital, excessive use of social media has been linked with increased rates of anxiety and depression, especially among young adults. A constant sense of idealized images and comparison with others might bring out feelings of inadequacy and isolation, exacerbating one’s ability or will to seek help.
This larger mental health crisis reflects a systemic problem that reaches beyond college campuses. Students attending U-M, similar to many young adults throughout the U.S., deal with struggles well beyond academics: societal pressures, economic instability, and complex personal identities. In a time of increasing awareness about mental health, it becomes imperative that these pervasive issues be taken out of the isolated university resources and be pressed onto the national stage not only on how to improve access to care but also on reducing stigma around mental illness.
Progress
As written by the School of Public Health, the University of Michigan has fostered great improvements in mental health care. A program like Thrive With CAPS embeds mental health education into first-year orientation to normalize care sooner. While concerns about wait times persist, U-M’s aggressive stride is indicative of the resolve to better mental health facilities available for students.
The most recent Healthy Minds Study, which surveyed over 100,000 college students from 200 U.S. universities, presents positive findings: Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts have decreased, while mental health care and support have increased.
Supplementing these developments, the university has also made efforts to destigmatize mental health care through increased awareness campaigns to help students feel empowered to seek help without feeling condemned by judgments.
Recommendations
The University of Michigan should increase Counseling and Psychological Services staffing and funding in order to better support its student population. For one, this would reduce wait times; CAPS would be able to handle the growing demand for its services. The promotion of peer support programs supplements professional resources and can further destigmatize discussing mental health on campus.
Additionally, U-M should increase outreach to make all students, particularly those with greater barriers to care, feel supported. Proactive engagement and tailoring programs to meet diverse needs can help bridge these gaps. Finally, the university could normalize preventative care through educational campaigns that urge students to come forward for help before reaching a crisis point. With these measures, U-M would be able to create a more comprehensive and inclusive mental health support structure.
It’s crucial to understand that the mental health challenges faced by students extend far beyond the University of Michigan, reflecting a broader issue affecting campuses nationwide. Many students are experiencing heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and burnout, compounded by societal stigmas surrounding mental health that can make seeking help feel daunting from the start. The pressures of academic performance and social dynamics can weigh heavily on students, making them particularly vulnerable to deteriorating mental health.
While the University of Michigan has taken meaningful steps to support the mental well-being of its students, we acknowledge that there is still much work to be done. A greater number of resources, as well as a commitment to understanding and adapting to the needs of a diverse student body, are essential. The University now has a significant opportunity to embrace innovation and truly prioritize mental health. As Dr. Volling wisely notes, “If we prioritize mental health, every individual feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.” Together, we can create an environment where every student feels valued and has the support they need to flourish.
Feature photo: Person Reaching Black Heart Cutout Paper, by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash