TY - JOUR PY - 2023// TI - College student mental health, treatment utilization, and reduced enrollment: findings across a state university system during the COVID-19 pandemic JO - Journal of American college health A1 - McAfee, Nicholas W. A1 - Schumacher, Julie A. A1 - Carpenter, Rachel K. A1 - Ahmad, Zoya SP - ePub EP - ePub VL - ePub IS - ePub N2 - OBJECTIVE: This study measured the rate of college student mental health concerns and mental health service utilization. The roles of mental health and seeking treatment regarding anticipated enrollment were explored.

METHODS: One thousand eight hundred thirty-one randomly selected students participated in this online survey.

RESULTS: Most students reported clinically significant symptoms (88.3%), and many sought treatment in the past year (28.8%). Most students had favorable attitudes toward telemental health. Barriers to seeking care included a preference for self-management of symptoms (68.8%) and limited time (43.3%). Mental health was the most commonly reported reason for anticipating reduced enrollment (ps < .001), and these individuals were more likely to seek treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Past and anticipated use of mental health treatment likely exceeds on-campus capacity. Student mental health and retention are linked, and treatment may support retention. Nontraditional services, including telemental health, could help address increasing symptom severity and demand for services.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0744-8481 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2023.2248495 ID - ref1 ER -