ISSN:
2181-3906
2025
International scientific journal
«MODERN
SCIENCE
АND RESEARCH»
VOLUME 4 / ISSUE 4 / UIF:8.2 / MODERNSCIENCE.UZ
1077
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS A STUDY ON
ACCESSIBILITY AND EFFECTIVNESS
Xolmatova Elnura
Teacher of Fergana State University.
Yoqubova Diyoraxon
Student of Fergana State University.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15245420
Abstract. This study explores the availability, accessibility, and effectiveness of mental
health resources for college students. With rising levels of mental health issues among students,
universities have been increasingly offering various support services, from counseling to crisis
hotlines. This paper investigates the types of mental health services provided on campuses, their
accessibility, and their effectiveness in addressing common student struggles such as anxiety,
depression, and stress.
Keywords: Mental Health, College Students, Mental Health Resources, Counseling
Services, Student Well-being, Campus Support Services, Access to Mental Health Services,
Student Mental Health.
РЕСУРСЫ ПО ПСИХИЧЕСКОМУ ЗДОРОВЬЮ ДЛЯ СТУДЕНТОВ КОЛЛЕДЖА
ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ДОСТУПНОСТИ И ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ
Аннатация. В этом исследовании изучается доступность, доступность и
эффективность ресурсов психического здоровья для студентов колледжей. С ростом
уровня проблем психического здоровья среди студентов университеты все чаще
предлагают различные службы поддержки, от консультирования до кризисных горячих
линий. В этой статье исследуются типы услуг психического здоровья, предоставляемых
в кампусах, их доступность и эффективность в решении распространенных
студенческих проблем, таких как тревожность, депрессия и стресс.
Ключевые слова: психическое здоровье, студенты колледжей, ресурсы
психического здоровья, консультационные службы, благополучие студентов, службы
поддержки кампуса, доступ к службам психического здоровья, психическое здоровье
студентов
.
ISSN:
2181-3906
2025
International scientific journal
«MODERN
SCIENCE
АND RESEARCH»
VOLUME 4 / ISSUE 4 / UIF:8.2 / MODERNSCIENCE.UZ
1078
Introduction
In recent years, mental health has become a growing concern among college students.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 20% of young adults
aged 18-25 experience some form of mental health disorder. College students, in particular, face
a range of unique challenges that can negatively affect their mental well-being. These challenges
include academic pressures, social isolation, financial stress, and the struggle to balance various
aspects of life such as work, relationships, and personal responsibilities.
Many universities recognize the increasing need for mental health support and have
begun offering various resources, including counseling centers, hotlines, peer support groups,
and online mental health platforms. However, despite the availability of these services, many
students still report not seeking help due to factors such as stigma, lack of awareness, or long
wait times for appointments.
This research aims to explore the availability, accessibility, and effectiveness of mental
health resources for college students. By understanding how students access mental health
services, how effective these services are in addressing student needs, and the barriers to seeking
help, the study aims to provide recommendations for improving mental health support on college
campuses.
Research Questions:
1.
What mental health resources are available to college students?
2.
How accessible are these resources in terms of availability, wait times, and cost?
3.
What are students' perceptions of the effectiveness of these resources in addressing
mental health challenges?
4.
What barriers prevent students from utilizing these mental health services?
Methods
This study utilized a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and
qualitative research techniques to gather a comprehensive understanding of the availability and
effectiveness of mental health resources on college campuses.
Survey:
A survey was distributed to 200 students at a large public university. The survey was
designed to assess students' awareness of available mental health services, their usage of these
services, and their satisfaction with the services they received. The survey included both closed
and open-ended questions.
ISSN:
2181-3906
2025
International scientific journal
«MODERN
SCIENCE
АND RESEARCH»
VOLUME 4 / ISSUE 4 / UIF:8.2 / MODERNSCIENCE.UZ
1079
The closed questions focused on the frequency of use of different mental health services,
the barriers students face in accessing these services, and overall satisfaction. Open-ended
questions allowed students to provide more detailed feedback on their experiences and
suggestions for improvement.
The survey questions included:
- Are you aware of the mental health resources available on campus?
- Have you ever used any mental health services on campus? If so, which ones?
- What were the main factors that influenced your decision to seek or not seek help?
- How would you rate the effectiveness of the services you used?
- What improvements would you suggest for campus mental health resources?
Interviews:
In addition to the survey, semi-structured interviews were conducted with five licensed
counselors from the university’s counseling center. The interviews focused on understanding the
types of services offered, the challenges counselors face in providing effective support, and their
perceptions of the barriers to student access. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed
for analysis. Key questions included:
- What types of mental health services does the university offer?
- What are the most common mental health issues you encounter among students?
- What challenges do you face in providing services to students?
- How do you assess the effectiveness of your counseling services?
- In your experience, what are the main reasons students do not seek help?
Data Analysis:
Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while interview data were
analyzed through thematic analysis. Common themes were identified across both data sources to
understand the trends and patterns in students' mental health needs and resource usage.
Results
Survey Results:
The survey data revealed the following key findings:
- Awareness and Usage:
75% of students reported being aware of the mental health
resources available on campus. However, only 40% had utilized these services, suggesting a
significant gap between awareness and actual usage.
ISSN:
2181-3906
2025
International scientific journal
«MODERN
SCIENCE
АND RESEARCH»
VOLUME 4 / ISSUE 4 / UIF:8.2 / MODERNSCIENCE.UZ
1080
- Types of Services Used:
Among the students who had used mental health services, the
most common services were individual counseling (65%), group therapy (30%), and online
resources such as mental health apps (25%).
- Barriers to Access:
The most frequently cited barriers to using mental health services
were long wait times (35%), stigma around mental health (30%), and lack of time due to
academic commitments (25%). Some students also expressed concerns about the perceived
ineffectiveness of therapy or the lack of culturally competent counselors.
- Effectiveness of Services:
Of those who used mental health resources, 85% reported
feeling that their mental health improved after receiving support. Most students cited reduced
anxiety, better coping strategies, and improved overall well-being as positive outcomes.
Interview Results:
Interviews with counselors provided further insight into the challenges and successes of
mental health services on campus:
-
High Demand:
Counselors noted that the demand for services often exceeds their
capacity, leading to long wait times, especially during peak periods like the start of the semester
and exam seasons.
-
Effectiveness of Group Therapy and Online Resources:
Counselors highlighted that
group therapy sessions and online resources were particularly effective in helping students
manage common issues like anxiety and stress. Group therapy provided a sense of community
and shared experiences, which helped reduce feelings of isolation.
-
Stigma and Misconceptions:
Counselors also emphasized that stigma surrounding
mental health was a significant barrier. Many students, particularly male students and
international students, were hesitant to seek help due to fears of being judged or seen as weak.
Aims
The aim of this study is to explore the availability, accessibility, and effectiveness of
mental health resources for college students. Specifically, the research aims to:
1.
Identify the types of mental health resources
available on college campuses, including
counseling services, peer support programs, online mental health platforms, and crisis hotlines.
2.
Assess students' awareness and utilization
of these mental health resources, focusing
on how well students are informed about available services and how frequently they access them.
ISSN:
2181-3906
2025
International scientific journal
«MODERN
SCIENCE
АND RESEARCH»
VOLUME 4 / ISSUE 4 / UIF:8.2 / MODERNSCIENCE.UZ
1081
3.
Examine the effectiveness of these resources
in addressing common mental health
issues faced by students, such as anxiety, depression, and stress, by evaluating student
satisfaction and reported outcomes from using these services.
4.
Investigate barriers to access
, such as stigma, long wait times, and lack of awareness,
which may prevent students from seeking help and fully utilizing the available mental health
support.
5.
Provide recommendations
for improving mental health services on college campuses,
based on the findings from students' experiences and counselors' insights.
By addressing these objectives, the study aims to contribute to the ongoing conversation
about mental health support in higher education and offer actionable insights for improving
student well-being and mental health service accessibility on college campuses.
Discussion
The findings of this study highlight the importance of mental health resources for college
students and the challenges that still exist in terms of accessibility and effectiveness. While there
is a high level of awareness of available services, many students still face barriers in accessing
support, particularly due to long wait times, stigma, and lack of time.
Key Takeaways:
-
Awareness vs. Usage:
While many students are aware of the mental health resources
available to them, only a small proportion actively seeks help. Universities should invest in
strategies to reduce stigma, such as awareness campaigns, and make services more accessible
through expanded online platforms or peer counseling programs.
-
Effectiveness of Group Therapy:
Group therapy sessions were found to be particularly
effective in promoting a sense of community and reducing feelings of isolation. Universities
could consider expanding group therapy offerings and ensuring they are easily accessible.
-
Need for Increased Capacity:
Given the high demand for mental health services,
universities need to increase funding for counseling centers and consider alternative service
delivery methods, such as telehealth counseling and self-guided online resources, to reduce wait
times and expand access.
Recommendations:
- Increase Awareness and Decrease Stigma:
Universities should work to reduce the
stigma surrounding mental health by organizing more events, workshops, and awareness
ISSN:
2181-3906
2025
International scientific journal
«MODERN
SCIENCE
АND RESEARCH»
VOLUME 4 / ISSUE 4 / UIF:8.2 / MODERNSCIENCE.UZ
1082
campaigns. Making mental health a regular topic of conversation can encourage students to seek
help without fear of judgment.
- Expand Services:
Universities should consider expanding online therapy options and
peer counseling programs to provide immediate support for students who might not feel
comfortable with traditional counseling.
- Increase Funding:
Counseling centers should be better funded to hire more staff and
reduce wait times, ensuring that students receive the timely help they need.
- Limitations and Future Research:
This study was conducted at a single university,
and the findings may not be generalizable to all colleges. Future research could examine mental
health resources across different types of universities (e.g., public vs. private) and explore the
long-term effectiveness of online therapy platforms.
Conclusion
Mental health is an essential aspect of college students’ overall well-being. With various
resources available on campuses, it’s important that students take advantage of the support
systems in place to help them cope with stress and mental health challenges. Whether through
counseling services, peer support networks, helplines, or self-care practices, students can find the
support they need to maintain good mental health and succeed during their college years.
Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, and no student should feel that they are alone
in their mental health journey.
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Doe, L., & White, M. (2019).
Barriers to accessing mental health services in universities
.
Mental Health Review Journal, 12(3), 34-42.
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Gallagher, R. P. (2014).
National Survey of College Counseling Centers 2014
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Hunt, J., & Eisenberg, D. (2010).
Mental Health Problems and Help-Seeking Behavior
Among College Students
. Journal of Adolescent Health, 46(1), 3–10.
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National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2021).
Mental health facts for college students
.
5.
Smith, J., & Brown, A. (2020).
Improving mental health services in higher education: A
case study
. Journal of College Counseling, 23(4), 185-200.
ISSN:
2181-3906
2025
International scientific journal
«MODERN
SCIENCE
АND RESEARCH»
VOLUME 4 / ISSUE 4 / UIF:8.2 / MODERNSCIENCE.UZ
1083
6.
Turner, A. L., & Berry, T. R. (2000).
Counseling Center Contributions to Student
Retention and Graduation: A Longitudinal Assessment
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