Biggest Challenge in Community College? Mental Health
Community college students who experience mental health challenges are more likely to drop out according to a new study from Community College Research Center (CCRC) at Columbia University. Efforts to improve college completion rates among community college students have largely focused on meeting their academic and financial needs. However, unaddressed mental health challenges may be a more accurate predictor of community college persistence.
Since students at 2-year community colleges are more likely to suffer from financial problems, they frequently experience more stress in trying to find balance between economic and academic success. Thus, these students are also more likely to struggle with mental health conditions stemming from such stress.
Of course, students at 4-year universities also suffer from stress and mental health challenges. However, many 4-year universities are largely residential and offer on-campus physical and mental health services, often at a reduced cost. Students at 2-year colleges may have more difficulty accessing appropriate services.
To learn more, read this full article at Inside Higher Ed:
Researchers found mental health conditions were the greatest predictor of persistence and credit accumulation among students, with a negative correlation between conditions and attainment…
