September marks Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, bringing attention to the importance of suicide prevention and mental health support for college students. At Sacramento State, campus organizations and programs are available to connect students with resources and services that address a variety of mental health challenges.   

Mental health concerns remain a common challenge among college students. According to a study from Healthy Minds Network Organization, 37% of college students reported moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms, while 32% reported moderate-to-severe anxiety symptoms.

While mental health struggles have many causes, research emphasizes loneliness, academic pressure, financial stress and lack of social support as important contributors to student’s mental well-being. 

These factors can affect students in different ways. Academic pressure can often derive from rigorous coursework or anxiety surrounding academic performance, according to the American College Health Association’s Fall 2024 Assessment 30% of students reported anxiety has affected their academic performances. 

Tuition expenses, housing prices and transportation costs also place financial stress on students. Based on the Trellis Strategies’ Wellness Survey of college students, 49% of the respondents who experienced financial challenges reported having a hard time concentrating on school work because of it.

Simultaneously, disconnection from social communities and limited access to support resources can cause psychological distress. Together these factors have the ability to affect one’s mental state.

According to an article written by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), clear warning signs of declining mental health can appear in many ways. Some examples of this include increased feelings of hopelessness and anger, no longer looking forward to the future or even giving away personal items.

Destigmatizing mental health conversations means changing the way mental health and suicide is discussed. 

“Conversation is the first key to destigmatization, the way we talk about suicide matters,” said Lauren Pudillo, Area Director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Greater Sacramento. 

Changing the language associated with mental health struggles and suicide in everyday conversations eliminates negative associations and stigmas about mental health challenges. 

“For instance, we also do not use the language attempted or failed, that implicitly implies if it’s successful that means they’re no longer with us and that negative connotation can really be an impactful way to de-stigmatize,” Pudillo said.  

Sacramento State hosts a student-run chapter of NAMI to increase mental health awareness and reduce stigma in college communities.

Harnoor Deol, President of NAMI at Sac State, said changes in a person’s everyday behavior can sometimes be overlooked.

“One of the biggest things that gets overlooked is a change in someone’s normal behavior,” Deol said. “When someone starts withdrawing from friends, losing interest in things they usually enjoy, struggling academically, or simply doesn’t seem like themselves, it can easily be dismissed as stress or just being busy.” 

Recognizing these changes is one part of supporting students who may be struggling. Creating spaces on campus such as local chapters of NAMI, where students can openly discuss mental health, can help make those conversations more accessible.

“Students should regularly see mental health resources, education and conversations throughout campus. That’s one of the reasons organizations like NAMI on Campus are important,” Deol said. “We create spaces where students can come together, have conversations, learn about mental health, and feel comfortable asking questions without feeling judged.”

Sac State also offers a variety of different cultural support centers that provide resources for students from different communities

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Annette Reed, who was previously the director for Native Studies at Sac State and is currently the Dean of Students at Wileety College, said she sees how culturally informed support can be important for students seeking mental health resources.

“What students have told me is, it’s hard to go in and start explaining who you are and where you come from before you start getting help with your mental health,” Reed said.

Cultural identity, background and personal experience can shape how students may view mental health, and whether they feel comfortable seeking help. For Native students, the Esik’timá Center provides a space for cultural connection along with peer wellness advocates that can help support students seeking mental health support.

As the semester ramps up, students have access to the Student Health, Counseling and Wellness Center located in The WELL. The center offers services ranging from mental health support, to wellness programs. Students can also connect with peer wellness advocates, who are students on campus trained to provide wellness support. 

For those experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 for immediate, confidential

support. For life threatening emergencies, call 911.