Information About Student Problems

Faculty and staff play a central role in student help-seeking efforts. First, you are often in a direct position to observe students and be aware of their behavior. Second, students frequently turn to informal help-givers like you to obtain advice and support. Although faculty and staff are not expected to provide counseling, it is often helpful for you to understand the critical role you can play.

What You Should Know About Student Problems

  • Stress, pressures, and problems are a normal part of college life. While many students cope with these demands successfully, a significant number of students have difficulties that interfere with their performance.
  • Studies on the incidence of emotional troubles among college students predict that at least 10% of our student body suffer from discernible emotional problems such as depression, acute anxiety, substance abuse, and other more serious conditions.
  • An even greater number of students experience developmental problems in adjusting to college life and adulthood, such as defining identity, relating to others, and identifying educational and career goals.
  • The most common difficulties in adjustment as well as more serious emotional problems affect students’ academic performance, personal effectiveness, and the quality of life in the campus community.

Thus, identifying students in need of help and assisting them in getting help are important responsibilities for all of us in the campus community.