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Thoughts on the mental health crisis among college students:
The last few weeks I've seen the worst mental health among students I've ever seen. From a sociological perspective, it seems clear this is a structural problem not just an individual problem. 1/9
The last few weeks I've seen the worst mental health among students I've ever seen. From a sociological perspective, it seems clear this is a structural problem not just an individual problem. 1/9
What happens when you are in a global pandemic which isolates people structurally, a period of heightened racism, a presidential election with democratic checks & balances not functioning, and a compressed academic schedule ? Add to that an overstrained counseling system? 2/9
You get us all going off the rails. So what can we do when the structures are failing us & we are all overwhelmed?
A few ideas possible ways to cope when the obvious solutions are not in sight. (Yes sociologists, unfortunately these have to be more individualized rather 3/9
A few ideas possible ways to cope when the obvious solutions are not in sight. (Yes sociologists, unfortunately these have to be more individualized rather 3/9
than root causes because that's where we are at.)1. Find a way to lighten the load on the students. Talk to them. Ask them how they are doing. Acknowledge the unusual historical and structural challenges they are living through. Lighten the syllabus. Cut down assignments. 4/9
Reassess progress and goals under these new conditions.
2. Convene informal meet up groups or meet with at risk students more frequently (yes this is more work). 5/9
2. Convene informal meet up groups or meet with at risk students more frequently (yes this is more work). 5/9
3. Encourage students to try to build relationships -- e.g. if they say they are isolated in their living situation, help them think through ways to ask other students to lunch, join student groups or convene book or support groups on a more regular basis. 6/9
4. Find ways to hire & build relationships with the most isolated & at risk students.
5. Self care so you can help support other people.
6. Drop some less important commitments - sorry some service work - perhaps student and personal well being are more important right now. 7/9
5. Self care so you can help support other people.
6. Drop some less important commitments - sorry some service work - perhaps student and personal well being are more important right now. 7/9
7. Faculty and staff: advocate for the most at risk students with the counseling center to help them get help.
Yes, these things are not supposed to be my job by some definitions of it, but under these conditions I think desperate times call for different responses. 8/9
Yes, these things are not supposed to be my job by some definitions of it, but under these conditions I think desperate times call for different responses. 8/9
Yes, this extra work is not possible or healthy for people just like me -- working moms of littles -- but what are we supposed to do? Let the students soldier on alone with fewer coping mechanisms?
Not pretty, but as educators, this is where we are at. 9/9
Not pretty, but as educators, this is where we are at. 9/9
