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Directors of college counseling centers in the Unites States and Canada are reporting an increase in self-inflicted injury, eating disorders, and sexual assault cases among college students. In addition, 95 percent report an increase – up from 92 percent in 2004 – in the amount of college students coming to counseling who are already on psychiatric medication. These results support the growing concern for the overwhelming amount of students taking advantage of their college counseling centers.

For this reason, surveys are conducted to study college counseling centers and help improve available resources. One such study is The National Survey of Counseling Center Directors 2005, which has been conducted since 1981. It began as a project of the Urban Task Force of the Association of University College Counseling Center Directors, and is now a joint endeavor of AUCCCD, ACCA, and the International Association of Counseling Services.

The 2005 Survey showed that more than 90 percent of directors believe there has been an increase in the number of students with severe psychological problems in recent years. This includes data provided by administrative directors from 366 counseling centers across the United Sates and Canada. The Survey attempts to stay abreast of current trends in counseling centers and to provide directors with ready access to the opinions and solutions of colleagues to challenges and problems in the field. It addresses a wide array of topics including budget trends, current concerns, innovative programming, and a number of other administrative, ethical, and clinical issues.

The Survey showed that 9 percent of college students sought counseling in 2005. In addition, directors reported that 42.8 percent of their clients have severe psychological problems. And, while 34.5 percent experience severe problems that can be treated with available treatment modalities, 8.5 percent have impairment so serious that they cannot remain in school, or can only do so with extensive psychological/psychiatric help.

Mental health problems are clearly a growing issue for colleges and universities nationwide. Almost 96 percent of directors believe that the increase of students with more serious psychological problems is a growing concern for their centers, 78 percent believe it is a growing concern for the administration, 69 percent for faculty, and 88.5 percent for the Residence Life Staff. These statistics only serve to prove the pervasive nature of mental health problems on college campuses. Mental health problems not only affect the way an individual functions, but also classrooms, roommates, faculty, and more.

It is clear from this Survey that there is a growing demand to increase the amount of psychiatric resources – counseling staff, hours, resources -on college campuses. The ratio of counselors to students, a mere 1 to 1698, leaves students shorthanded and counselors overworked. In fact, 80 percent of directors believe there is a need for more psychiatric consulting hours.

Administrators are aware of the increased need for counseling services and 39.2 percent of directors believe that this has already led to an increase in resources for their centers. The 2005 Survey found that 54.6 percent of clients reported that counseling helped them remain in school, while 60 percent maintain that it improved their academic performance. These statistics are proof that as the availability of psychiatric resources improve, the number of students afflicted by mental health problems will decrease.

For the full results of the survey, visit www.iacsinc.org