By Logan Wentzlaff
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
University students in the Baltimore area are facing significant mental health challenges, largely due to the struggle of balancing academics with personal life. This local experience mirrors a nationwide trend where college students are struggling with similar issues.
A late 2022 report from the American Psychological Association (APA) revealed that during the 2020-2021 school year, over 60% of college students experienced at least one mental health issue. This marks a nearly 50% increase since 2013, highlighting a concerning decline in student well-being over the past decade. In 2023, the National Education Association echoed these findings, highlighting the need for better mental health support and strategies to relieve academic pressures.
Towson University undergraduate Ricky Bruno, 22, shared about the academic demands. “It’s the constant deadlines with multiple classes and the expectation to always perform at your best while also balancing an active internship and part-time job,” he said. “Some weeks, I feel like all I’m doing is schoolwork, leaving little time for anything I want to do on my own.”
A 2023 study from PubMed Central and the National Library of Medicine (PMC, NLM) found that 61% of students working more than 20 hours per week report heightened anxiety, depression, and stress. A sentiment shared by Anatole Dupuis, 23, another Towson undergraduate, noted that balancing a part-time job with academics increases his stress. “I work on weekends, following a tough school week, and it’s hard to find time to relax,” he said. “There’s a constant pressure to do work for classes, but it’s gets exhausting when I’m also managing my personal life.”
Graduate students face additional challenges. Ethan Noble, 25, a recent graduate student from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), discussed the financial strain of post-college life. “Student debt and building my financial future is a daily battle,” he said. “Searching for jobs makes it tough to find time for myself and to enjoy the things I care about.” His experience aligns with data suggesting that graduate students are particularly affected by financial burdens and challenges in finding employment.
As universities in the Baltimore area continue to address the mental health crisis among students, those interviewed expressed hope for the future. Emphasizing the importance of open communication and enhanced mental health support to help students succeed academically while balancing their personal lives.