Mental Health Stigmas and Counseling Services Utilization

Indianapolis, IN

Persons with mental illness have been marginalized for generations. For many years, those with mental illness were institutionalized or incarcerated. This history of mental health and mental health treatment leaves behind stereotypes and stigmas still present today. There has been an increase in those who experience mental illness, particularly traditional aged college students (18-24). Research shows that the number of students with severe psychological illness is steadily increasing on college campuses. Yet, on a yearly basis, only about one-third of persons with mental illness seek professional treatment (Bathje & Pryor, 2011). The aim for this study is to discover the relationship between self-stigmas of mental health and Valparaiso University students' use of counseling services. Approximately 200 students at Valparaiso University, a small liberal arts college in Indiana, will be anonymously surveyed regarding their perception of mental health, utilization of counseling services, as well as age, academic major, gender, and ethnicity. While numerous studies have been done on self-stigmas' relationship to public stigma and their implications for usage, little research has been done looking at self-stigma as a primary factor in the usage of psychological help- seeking services. Based on the findings of our study, there are implications for counseling services and education about mental health on college campuses.