More than half of college students (58%) accessed mental health care during their K-12 years, according to data from TimelyCare, a virtual health and well-being company for higher education.
Seli Fakorzi
The finding indicates that issues of mental health are not recent, said Seli Fakorzi, a licensed clinician and director of mental health operations at TimelyCare.
“[It] really points to the fact that this mental health crisis in this demographic has been brewing for some time,” said Fakorzi. “It's not brand new."
TimelyCare – previously TimelyMD – surveyed enrolled college students, garnering more than 1,100 of respondents, ages 18-22. The survey asked students when they first sought professional mental health support, such as therapy, counseling, mental health apps, and crisis hotlines.
Almost 60% were first seeking such support in grade school, according to survey results. The high school years comprised the biggest portion, 35%, followed by 15% reporting they accessed support while in middle school.
And of the 17% of respondents who reported never having sought professional mental health support, 11% said there were no available counselors or appointments and 8% cited family stigma.
The main sources of stress for students experiencing mental health problems are stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and depression, said Fakorzi.
