Fact sheet on the Campus Care and Counseling Act (HR 3593)

Address the Growing Psychological Health Needs of College Students and Invest in Academic Success in College
By Co-Sponsoring HR 3593

WHAT

Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-IL) and Rep. Tom Osborne (R-NE), both members of the House Education and the Workforce Committee introduced HR 3593, the Campus Care and Counseling Act. HR 3593 amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 and authorizes $10 million in competitive grants to centers on college campuses that provide mental and behavioral health services to students. These funds could be used to increase and improve services on campus to better meet the psychological health needs of students in an effort to increase academic success in college.

WHY

Studies have found that "mental health problems may also have a negative impact on academic performance, retention and graduation rates." [Martha Anne Kitzrow, Ph.D., "The Mental Health Needs of Today's College Students: Challenges and Recommendations, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Journal, Fall 2003, p. 169]

There is clear evidence of an increased incidence of depression among college students. According to a survey described in the Chronicle of Higher Education (February 1, 2002), depression among freshmen has nearly doubled (from 8.2% to 16.3%). Without treatment, researchers recently noted in Newsweek (October 7, 2002) that "depressed adolescents are at risk for school failure, social isolation, promiscuity, self medication with drugs and alcohol, and suicide -- now the third leading cause of death among 10-24 year olds."

Researchers from Kansas State University who conducted a study over a 13-year period (1989-2001) of 13,257 students seeking help at a large midwestern university counseling center, stated "students experience more stress, more anxiety and more depression than a decade ago. Some of these increases were dramatic. The number of students seen each year with depression doubled, while the number of suicidal students tripled and the number of students seen after a sexual assault quadrupled."

Researchers have noted the fact "that high levels of psychological distress among college students were significantly related to academic performance." "Students with higher levels of psychological distress were characterized by higher test anxiety, lower academic self-efficacy, and less effective time management and use of study resources." [Brackney and Karabenick, 1995 as included in NASPA Journal, Fall 2003 p. 170]

The retention rate for students who received counseling was 14% higher than for students who did not receive counseling. Several other studies have found that counseling has a positive impact on retention rates. [Kitzrow, NASPA Journal, Fall 2003]

According to the same journal article, during the last decade, university and college counseling centers have reported a "shift in the needs of students seeking counseling services" from developmental and informational needs to more "severe psychological problems." These needs include, "suicidality, substance abuse, history of psychiatric treatment or hospitalization, depression and anxiety, alcohol problems, eating disorders."

According to the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, the highest prevalence of both binge and heavy drinking was found in young adults ages 18 to 25 (especially on college campuses). In addition, the results of a Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study Survey printed in the Journal of American Health show that 44.4 % of college students describe themselves as binge drinkers.

The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2002) reports that 1400 college students die each year from alcohol- related injuries. In addition, it is stated that college students who drink are more likely to assault, sexually abuse, and vandalize others. Furthermore, it is reported that 25% of college students attribute academic problems to excessive drinking

TAKING ACTION

At the federal level, Congress has expressed its interest in ensuring accountability in higher education. The federal government invests significant resources through its student aid programs. A focus on the mental and behavioral health needs of college students, as in HR 3593, the Campus Care and Counseling Act can yield significant positive benefits in important accountability areas such as retention, graduation rates - and other indicators of general college success. There is strong evidence documenting the growing and changing need for psychological services on college campus. Addressing the social and emotional needs (e.g. depression, suicide, drug and alcohol abuse) of college-going students will go a long way in improving the health and welfare of our next generation of leaders.

Please call your Representative and ask them to call either Rep. Davis' or Rep. Osborne's office today to be added as a cosponsor to HR 3593. This legislation, if included in the Higher Education Act, can make a real and positive difference in meeting the diverse needs of college students and contribute to their overall academic success as well as their success in life.

Useful links:

Text of Legislation [PDF]
Find your 9-digit zip code (you will need this to locate your Representative)
How to write your Representative
U.S. House of Representatives
APA Commends Davis/Osborne Bill to Improve Mental and Health Services on College Campuses (APA Press Release)