Study reveals how college students struggle with mental illnesses

By Adrienne Nunley Nov. 18, 2010

According to a study presented at the 2010 annual convention of the American Psychologist Association, severe mental illness among college students is more common than it’s been in the past. Last week’s Biola Mental Health Awareness Week was keen to highlight this fact.

“We want students to be aware of how common mental and health issues such as depression and anxiety are so they feel comfortable seeking the help and support they need from their community,” said Annie Fujikawa, a staff therapist at the Biola Counseling Center.

Depression on the rise

The study showed that as of 2009, 96 percent of the students seeking treatment at a clinic were diagnosed with at least one mental disorder. The percentage of students who have moderate to severe depression has risen from 34 to 42 percent. And in 1998, 11 percent of the clinical sample reported using psychiatric medications; in 2009, this rose to 24 percent.

“A lot of our students struggle with mental health disorders,” said Victoria Smith, manager of university events. “We feel that it’s our duty as an educational institution to equip our students to handle it both for their own sake and for the sake of those they’re in relationships with.”

Biola presents mental health awareness week

Archibald Hart, mental health expert, speaker and professor of psychology, spoke at last Wednesday’s chapel on the subject of one of his books: “Thrilled to Death: How the Endless Pursuit of Pleasure is Leaving us Numb.” Hart focused on 2 Timothy 3:1-4 and the idea of anhedonia, the inability to gain pleasure from enjoyable experiences. “It introduced the topic that welcomed discussion in a way that was funny and interesting, but still informative,” said sophomore Stephanie Barron, a psychology major and R.A in Alpha Chi.

Immediately after Wednesday morning’s chapel, students were greeted by colorful balloon arches and uplifting music as a part of the Holistic Health Fair, held in the Student Union Building walkway.

Laura Weber, staff spiritual director of the Center for Spiritual Renewal, whose booth was at the fair, explained the difference between therapy and spiritual direction.

“Spiritual direction specifically focuses on your spiritual life and the movement of God in your life,” Weber said. “In spiritual direction, you have the opportunity to look at all of the everyday issues of your life and ask the question, ‘Where is God in all of this? What might he be up to?’”

Students also had the opportunity to write responses to various questions on chalkboards at the fair. One question asked, “What is a mental ‘stigma’ word we need to get rid of?” Some student responses included “crazy,” “schizo,” and “wacko.”

Another question students could respond to was, “How can you support friends who have a mental illness?” Some responses to this question included “listen,” “educate yourself and understand” and “make time for them.”

All day Wednesday, RA’s, RD’s, Student Development staff, the President’s Administrative Council and many more were seen wearing shirts with facts and myths about mental health. The shirts were worn as an attempt to get the issue of mental health out on the table, Smith said. She said she didn’t want mental health to be something students feel embarrassed about.

Barron said she thought Mental Health Awareness Week was a good idea. “I think it’s good because a lot of people don’t realize this is a problem, or they’re afraid to admit that they struggle,” she said.

Lunch panel addresses student questions

At the “Ask the Expert: Lunch and Learn” event on Thursday, a panel of experts tackled a series of questions from students regarding mental health. The topics ranged from spiritual warfare to eating disorders. The experts were quick to admit they sometimes refer clients for prayer and ask God for discernment in what the patient is going through. The panel included Melanie Taylor, the director of the Biola Counseling Center, James Woody, the assistant director of the Biola Counseling Center, Sue Rueb, the co-founder of Brain Rehabilitation And Injury Network, and Fujikawa.

One of the panelists asked attendees if they knew anyone who has a mental disorder to the point where they have to take medication. Everyone in the room raised a hand. The panelist noted that everyone seems to somehow be affected by mental health, whether that be directly or indirectly.

Biola Counseling Center a resource for students

The panelists also gave information about the Biola Counseling Center and what it has to offer students.

“It takes a lot of courage to go to therapy and work through painful situations and relationships,” Taylor said. “It's difficult to face ourselves, admit what is hurting us, experience those feelings, and move to healthier places inside of ourselves, but it's worth the journey.”

A showing of “A Beautiful Mind” in Calvary Chapel was held on Thursday night. On Friday, students could find a healthy habits card in their mailboxes with tips on maintaining holistic health, as well as information on local resources.

“Biola students struggle with all that is human –– meaning, of course, they experience depression, addictions, anxiety, relationship problems and a host of other things, and, yes, sometimes clients deal with the added stress of the stigma that surrounds mental health issues,” Taylor said. “Sometimes they feel that stress from Christian homes and churches, but I think we have also come a long way in accepting and understanding our emotional struggles, and this is now being reflected in those Christian homes, churches and universities.”

Panel lunch event answers student questions

By Adrienne Nunley Nov. 12, 2010

Thursday marked the fourth day of Biola’s Mental Health Awareness Week and included a luncheon with a panel of experts on mental health issues.

The event, “Ask the Expert: Lunch and Learn,” took place in the Student Union Building at noon and included free pizza.

The panel of experts included Melanie Taylor, the director of the Biola Counseling Center, Jones Wood, the assistant director of the Biola Counseling Center, Sue Rueb, the co-founder of Brain Rehabilitation And Injury Network, and Annie Fujikaway, a staff therapist at the Biola Counseling Center.

Besides answering questions, speakers gave out information about the Biola Counseling Center and how Biola students can use its resources.

Biola students who attended the event asked questions such as how the experts saw Jesus dealing with mental issues in Scripture. Another student asked how students could distinguish spiritual warfare from insanity.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the openness of the students who attended and the vulnerability of their questions,” sophomore Emily Ganzfried said.

Chapel encourages students to awareness of mental health

By Adrienne Nunley Nov. 11, 2010

Wednesday morning’s chapel kicked off the third day of Biola’s Mental Health Awareness Week. Mental health expert, speaker and professor of psychology Archibald Hart kept students smiling and laughing with his amusing demeanor.

Hart’s topic,“Thrilled to Death: How the endless pursuit of pleasure is leaving us numb,” also the title of his 2007 book, focused on the Bible passage 2 Timothy 3:1-4 and the idea of “anhedonia,” the inability to gain pleasure from enjoyable experiences.

Christians are slowly losing the ability to take pleasure in the simple things of life, including joy in God, he said. Hart said the intended purpose for the pleasure system is to take pleasure in God.

Hart went on to describe two types of pleasure. One is the Type A pleasure. This pleasure he attributed to the “adrenaline junky.” The other is Type B pleasure. He described this kind of pleasure as being easy going and coming from natural experiences. Hart said the Type B pleasure was the type Christians should pursue.

Sophomore Stephanie Barron, a psychology major and resident assistant in Alpha Chi, said she felt the morning’s chapel was beneficial.

“It introduced the topic that welcomed discussion in a way that was funny and interesting, but still informative,” she said.