The Connection between Mental Health and Academics

 Academic performance is a clear and measurable indicator of how well students are coping with real-world circumstances.

During college, students have a unique amount of stress and experience many firsts, such as a new lifestyle and routines, making new friends, roommates, difficult college courses, and alternate ways of thinking. Mental health and emotional issues can be exacerbated by stress and affect their ability to attend classes, focus on academic material, and learn effectively – and may also hinder motivation and/or increase feelings of discouragement and hopelessness.

These barriers can lead to low test scores, poor attendance, disruptive behavior, and a greater chance of dropping out.

Mental health and emotional issues are increasingly more common on college campuses. In fact, one in four young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 have a diagnosable mental illness, making it difficult for them to be fully engaged in the classroom, which can make it hard for them to meet academic standards.

When unattended, students with mental health diagnoses are more likely to receive lower GPAs than their peers without such challenges. A 2012 survey stated that 64% of young adults who dropped out of college identified their mental health issues as reasons for not attending college.

At The Arise Society, we know that improving the mental health of our students is critical to maximizing academic achievement and personal development. We are a transitional living, supportive college environment for students who have not been achieving academic success or have been overwhelmed with everyday college life.

Students come to us for highly personalized therapeutic, social and academic support. We work with them to set realistic goals, develop sustainable study habits, and establish academic accountability. We share the following experiences with our students:

• Class attendance
• Study hall attendance
• Transparency of grades and academic work
• Completion of assignments and/or projects
• Mediating the instructor-student relationship
• Assisting with accommodations when necessary
• Tracking academic progress
• Helping our students with the administrative process

Young adults who come to The Arise Society can get better, regain a sense of motivation, confidence, independence, and improve their overall health as they move forward in life.