College Student Fall 2020 Mental Health Report provides
current student mindset; Hi, How Are You Project and American
Campus Communities encourage conversations about mental wellness
with free World Mental Health Day virtual music event
The new College Student Fall 2020
Mental Health Report reveals that 93 percent of U.S.
students surveyed in September 2020 agree or strongly agree their
mental health is an important component of their overall health and
wellbeing, with 66 percent saying that COVID-19 has forced them to
take a closer look at their mental health.
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the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201008005843/en/
Texas State University student wearing
Hi, How Are You Project mask. (Photo: Business Wire)
The Hi, How Are You Project and American Campus Communities
(NYSE: ACC) released the survey’s report today to help raise
awareness about the importance of mental wellness ahead of World
Mental Health Day on Saturday, October 10. The two organizations
have been partnering since 2018 to foster a culture of open
dialogue at ACC’s more than 200 communities nationwide to help
destigmatize any shame associated with mental health issues.
With more than 12,000 ACC resident responses from incoming
freshmen to graduate students at 65 campuses across the U.S., the
survey data provides a pulse of how students are feeling and what
they are doing to maintain strong mental health and wellbeing given
the dynamics of COVID-19. It is one of the largest surveys of its
kind specifically targeting college students.
“Whether it’s remote learning or the fear of the unknowns of the
virus, the data confirms that navigating the pandemic has
definitely added another layer of stress and anxiety to college
life,” said Dr. Sonia Krishna, a board certified physician
specializing in Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatry and Hi, How
Are You Project board member. “The good news is the survey results
also reveal this generation clearly understands that their mental
health is just as important as their physical health, and they are
open to having dialogues to help themselves and others as well.
Also, it is very encouraging to learn that three-fourths of
students feel comfortable having mental health conversations and
that they not only take the time to seek help for themselves but to
also support others who may be faced with similar mental health
issues.”
When stress and anxiety levels are high, most students turn
to music
In comparison to previous years, 85 percent of college students
are more stressed as a result of the global pandemic, according to
the survey. When asked what they do specifically to relieve stress
and anxiety, 84 percent of students say they choose to listen to or
play music, followed by 78 percent saying they talk with friends
and family on the phone/video chat, and 74 percent saying they
watch TV or a favorite movie.
In celebration of music and art as a way to build community, Hi,
How Are You Project will be hosting a free online music event on
World Mental Health Day, October 10. Sponsored by ACC, the event
will premiere at 7pm CST / 8pm EST on Qello Concerts by Stingray at
qello.com/hhayp, to help raise awareness on the importance of
having conversations around mental health. The program, hosted by
Fantastic Negrito, can be watched at any time and will
feature a mix of covers of the late world-renowned musician and
visual artist Daniel Johnston, along with relevant original songs
from a variety of artists including Jeff Tweedy, Lucius, Tunde
Adebimpe, Bully, Kate Davis, Molly Burch, and Sabrina Ellis
+ Mobley. The event will also feature details about the survey
data and information about how to seek support to maintain mental
wellness during these stressful times and in the future.
With the majority of students saying they are stressed right
now, more than half of them are worried they could be exposed to or
contract the virus and nearly one-third say they are dissatisfied
with remote learning, according to the survey. Krishna said these
two findings could contribute to the stress and anxiety as factors
in the overall current unconventional college environment.
Students feel comfortable opening up about mental wellness,
caring for themselves and others
When asked who they feel comfortable with talking about the
topic of mental health and wellbeing, 76 percent of the survey
respondents prefer to talk with their close friends, 56 percent
with family, and 48 percent with doctors or mental health experts
not associated with the university. When asked if they feel
comfortable having conversations to check in on other’s mental
wellbeing, 78 percent confirm that they do.
Socializing and interacting in person is what students miss
most right now
Socializing with friends and interacting with others in person
is what students miss the most, according to 84 percent of survey
respondents. However, they are embracing technology to stay
connected with others and also to help maintain mental wellness. As
for which activities students turn to so they can maintain strong
mental health, 85 percent say staying connected with friends and
family is important. Respondents heavily rely on texting, SnapChat
or other social media platforms, and phone/video conversations.
Some students are not aware of organizations that provide
support
While the majority of college students surveyed are currently
taking a closer look at their mental health, 28 percent of them say
they are not at all familiar with any organizations that promote
health and wellbeing.
“We know that 75 percent of mental health issues begin by the
age of 24, and college students fall right into that startling
statistic. Therefore, it is so important for students to know that
there are resources and people available to help,” said Lonnie
Ledbetter, senior vice president of human resources, organizational
development and culture at American Campus Communities. “We will
continue to help direct our residents to credible university and
community resources, cultivate effective partnerships with the
universities we serve, and foster a culture of open dialogue to
help destigmatize any shame associated with mental health
issues.”
With learnings from the College Student Fall 2020 Mental
Health Survey, ACC and the Hi, How Are You Project will further
their partnership to promote mental health and wellbeing among
ACC’s residents now during these dynamic times and well into the
future. Custom-built peer-to-peer training will continue to equip
ACC community assistants and other team members with the tools
needed to plan stress-reducing activities, recognize warning signs,
empower team members to start conversations, and provide resources
related to mental health and wellness. The student housing leader
and the mental health-focused nonprofit will also share the survey
findings with university leadership and administrators around the
U.S. with the goal to make an even greater impact of breaking down
the stigma associated with mental health issues among college
students.
To access the full report of the results from the College
Student Fall 2020 Mental Wellness Report, please find it
here.
About American Campus Communities
American Campus Communities, Inc. is the largest owner, manager
and developer of high-quality student housing communities in the
United States. The company is a fully integrated, self-managed and
self-administered equity real estate investment trust (REIT) with
expertise in the design, finance, development, construction
management and operational management of student housing
properties. As of June 30, 2020, American Campus Communities owned
166 student housing properties containing approximately 111,900
beds. Including its owned and third-party managed properties, ACC's
total managed portfolio consisted of 201 properties with
approximately 138,000 beds. Visit www.americancampus.com.
About Hi, How Are You? Project
The Hi How Are You (HHAY) Project was created to generate new
conversation around mental wellbeing. The name and city-proclaimed
HHAY Day were inspired by Austin’s love for the iconic mural
painted by Daniel Johnston. On January 22nd (Johnston’s birthday),
people everywhere are encouraged to check in on a neighbor, friend,
co-worker, family member, or loved one and ask, “Hi, How Are You?”
The Project, created with the support of the Johnston family,
creates media, events, and peer-to-peer training programs that
encourage open dialogue on mental wellbeing. Johnston is a
world-renowned musician and visual artist despite his own struggles
with mental illness. To learn more about how you can get involved
or to donate, please visit www.hihowareyou.org.
*https://www.nami.org/nami/media/nami-media/infographics/generalmhfacts.pdf
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