The number of responses to this which state that we are 'coddling' students is disturbing. A thread: Why this is a positive thing and what may account for it. https://twitter.com/NicoleBarbaro/status/1260699164112912384

1. Increased availability of mental health services. It is most certainly positive that we have more mental health professionals and they are easily accessible to students on campuses. Such services are often free to students.

2. We have made a lot of progress in decreasing the stigma towards mental health disorders and seeking help. It is good that we are normalizing seeking help when you need it.

3. I'm not sure how this could reflect students 'not learning appropriate responses to anxiety & life stress' when seeking therapy is a normal way to respond to anxiety and stress. Also, the purpose of therapy is to learn better ways to cope with anxiety and stress.

4. I don't know if there is evidence that the struggles today are 'suffering more' in the modern age, but they are certainly suffering differently. Perhaps different struggles in a different world call for different responses.

5. To call supporting mental health 'coddling' is may be a sign of why students feel the need to seek out those who are supportive of their struggles rather than those that mock them and their experiences. I unfortunately imagine that many of these are academics.

6. A reminder that not everyone who seeks counseling has a mental illness. Counselors also teach students about managing typical anxiety, time management, dealing with conflict, grief etc. To me, this is a sign of being mature to seek out assistance with such things.

7. Lastly, I think a lot of this is just a continued attack on intellectual humility. When we recognize that we don't have all of the answers, then we are open to seeking out help. And we shouldn't shame those that do so. They are being extremely courageous and humble.