Report: U-of-M student demand for mental health services exceeding supply

Nearly a third of U-of-M students say they’ve had a mental health diagnosis in their lifetime, and demand for clinical services at the U exceeds current capacity — key points in a special report the Board of Regents is reviewing today and tomorrow. Gary Christenson, chief medical officer at Boynton Health Service says,  “Mental health is a growing public health issue on campus and we usually consider it as the primary or the number-one public health issue that we’re currently dealing with.”   Christenson says poor mental health affects academic success and can result in lower GPAs and students dropping out of courses or even their degree programs.  The report recommends mental health staff increases, streamlining access to services, networking with community resources, and focusing on prevention and early intervention.  Researchers say anxiety, depression and an inability to manage stress are the most common mental health problems on campus.