A Decline In Student Mental Health
By Ashanti Thurman
Staff Writer
With enrollment down, many Harold Washington College faculty and administrators are having a difficult time keeping students engaged and active.
HWC students, who tend to be burdened with many other facets of life, are feeling the pressure. Jobs, internships, family life and the transfer process are factors which tend to weigh on the typical Harold Washington student, in addition to their studies.
However, the onset of COVID-19 and remote learning pushed many students to workloads which became far heavier than they were used to.
A lack of commute kept many students glued to computer screens from sunup to sundown the last few semesters, either working on assignments or in Zoom sessions.
As more of the country becomes vaccinated, more in-person and hybrid learning environments have emerged. Many students returning to in-person occupations and classes have felt the volume of their coursework has yet to reflect the increased demands placed on them.
The result of this has been a massive downturn in the state of student mental health. Burnout, as many students are calling it, is a hallmark of both physical and mental exhaustion. These levels of fatigue, caused by prolonged stressors, can lead to a lack of motivation, according to Merriam-Webster.
“This has been my most challenging semester yet,” said Raine Yung, who is in her second year. “Being in school, having a job and participating in extracurriculars leaves me with little time to rest. I notice myself slipping, but I don’t know how to ‘fix’ it.”
Yung, who takes classes from multiple campuses, has expressed frustration at her ineligibility for some campus-based mental health resources.
TRiO student Rachel Cheung has also found it difficult to stay motivated this semester and has advice for those experiencing similar feelings.
“Don’t try to avoid [feelings related to] burnout because you’re a human being. Trust your body and be kind to yourself,” Cheung said.
Both students plan to continue their coursework in the Spring 2022 semester.
As the Spring 2022 term approaches, HWC administration is reportedly moving forward with plans to increase the number of in-person classes. As of December 2, Spring 2022 enrollment headcount is at 1,150 students. Though registration remains open, this number is a massive downturn from the 6,650 students enrolled for Spring 2021.
Though there are in-person and virtual mental health resources available at HWC, it is not clear how many students struggling with their mental health are taking advantage of them.
For many, time constraints make it difficult to find time to schedule and attend an appointment with the Wellness Center or even their counselors. Some, if they have access to health insurance and outside therapy, may find they do not qualify.
When interviewed for a previous story earlier this semester, Clinical Counselor Janea Vinson of the Wellness Center emphasized that students have the support they need, whether provided online via booking a Zoom appointment, or with the available counselors on campus for support regarding various issues, including marriage counseling, case management support, and help with Medicaid.
