Thread: University Mental Health Visits Soaring

More and more university students are seeking help for mental health problems.

According to the Jyväskylä-based newspaper Keskisuomalainen, the number of visits to mental health professionals by university students has risen throughout the country by 59 percent since the turn of the millennium. During that time the number of students has risen by 16 percent.

The highest risk period for students is when they are working on their 'pro gradu' thesis, the final step before earning a master's degree. Now, however, more students are seeking help earlier in the university years, says Asko Hietala, chief psychologist at the Jyväskylä University's Student Health Care Foundation (YTHS).
Last year some 9,000 students used YTHS mental health services, which is just over six percent of all students.
The strongest growth was in the eastern university town of Lappeenranta, where the number of students in therapy has risen by 160 percent so far this decade.
According to Hietala, the psychiatric health of students does not differ from that of the population in general, but they seek help more readily.

Originally Posted by T-bag

The highest risk period for students is when they are working on their 'pro gradu' thesis, the final step before earning a master's degree. Now, however, more students are seeking help earlier in the university years, says Asko Hietala, chief psychologist at the Jyväskylä University's Student Health Care Foundation (YTHS).

I can understand why they are doing it, I'm working right now on my thesis and believe me it's a hard process. All the pressure you've got and the stress sometimes is difficult to handle. Of course you have friends and your family, they support you and tell you "don't worry you can do it, we believe in you" but there are moments when you feel so lonely and think that you never are going to finnish that thesis . But it's really good they are looking for professional help, it's an excellent choice.

Sounds like that most of the graduates have a psychologic problem

Well, I don't think it is a "mental problem", the professional helps you to manage the stress and even help you to increase your potential, so you can find the way to balance all the work you have, and you've got someone "objective" to talk. Besides, if you want distraction you can always hang out with your friends and some beers relax you . But talking to the psychologist is always a good way to relieve yourself

It strikes me that not everyone is mature enough to go to college and handle the pressures of learning without a teacher. Many students drop out in the first year because they havent got the self control or discipline to pass exams.

I did my degee at night after work for 5 years, it was tough but I never felt that I needed psychiatric treatment. Maybe those students need to take a break and come back a little wiser and a little more self disciplined?

I go back for my masters in October, again after work, I cant wait!

the more we get study themore we have chances for better job the more we get crazy and lonly