Service Requests Increasing on Campuses

Recently, requests for services for people with mental/emotional challenges have been on the rise.  However, staff is wondering if these requests are warranted.  Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, staff is required to provide services like private rooms or extending time for testing.

Campuses cross country have seen a growth for these requests due to emotional conditions like bipolar depression.  Approximately 11.6% of college students were diagnosed with anxiety in 2011, and 10.7% were examined for depression.  These numbers come from the American College Health Association.  Staff is worried that students may be using their condition as an excuse.

“There's the danger that we take too much care and when they hit the real world that same kind of support isn't there," says David Cozzens, dean of students and associate vice president of student affairs at the University of Wyoming in Laramie.

Services are needed for students with these types of mental/emotional health conditions cognitive health professionals state.  This is because these conditions can have dramatic consequences on their academics.  They also may have difficulty focusing and trouble sleeping.

Service debate:http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203430404577094330403235506.html