According to an assessment by Carleton’s director of university safety Len Boudreault, there seems to be a continual rise in the amount of times campus safety officers have been called in to deal with students who are combating mental health issues over the past few years.
Boudreault said he believes the persistent increase is the result of more students feeling the pressures of campus life, noting that in comparison to years past, the student body of Carleton appears to be more stressed.
However, not everyone agrees with Boudreault’s observation. Carleton’s director of health and counselling services Maureen Murdock said she has not witnessed a particularly noticeable surge in the number of students grappling with mental health problems, at least in terms of those who’ve solicited help from health and counselling.
“I haven’t noticed an increase of students who have came in,” stated Murdock, adding that she was in no position to verify Boudreault’s claim. “ I can’t comment on what [Boudreault] has said.”
Murdock said if there are a growing number of students wrestling with stress issues, she hasn’t witnessed it.
Some Carleton students said they agree.
“I wasn’t really aware it was such a big problem on campus,” said second-year political science student Patrick Osland.
“I think like most undergrads, finding a balance between both a social life and school can be hard but it's the only way you can survive.”
But stress levels vary by student.
“Stress is amplified for students from out of town, living on their own, who have to work,” said third-year engineering student Alessandro Argentina.
He added that a student’s stress level could be affected by their support structure.
“Having a group of friends in your program who you can trust to help you in times of need can ease a lot of stress.”
Despite the lack of visibility not all students are free from enduring unbearable stress at school, with one former Carleton engineering student, who wished to remain anonymous, confessing to violent physical traumas directly related to the difficulties of school.
“I mean, by the time I hit second year, I was overwhelmed with school and I started experiencing very painful stomach issues,” stated the 24-year-old. “I mean, I just had to get out, and now that I did I feel much better.”
While such severe cases may be rare, Murdock said if students are grappling with school difficulties that cannot be remedied by academic assistance, health and counselling services are a great help, especially when used earlier.
“Don’t wait till your stress level isn’t manageable,” Murdock said. “The sooner they come, the better.”