By Ali Grutchfield
Unfortunately, mental health is a puzzling topic that has stymied parents and psychologists alike for years. Now the only consensus appears to be that college students are suffering more than ever and not all of them are aware of the resources available to help. Facing the College Mental Health Crisis is an educational video produced by Patrick Li. The video (part of a series called Problem Solvers) is inspired by The Real World of College, a study by Harvard professors Wendy Fischman and Howard Gardner. In this first of its kind research initiative, Fischman and Gardner analyzed interviews with more than 2,000 students, alumni, faculty, administrators, parents, and others. The research was conducted at ten institutions ranging from highly selective liberal arts colleges to less selective state schools.
There is no consensus in this video short as to what caused such high levels of mental health issues. Instead, some possibilities presented were a lack of belonging, alienation, and poor academic performance. While this is an immense issue without a clear cause and solution, Li does a wonderful job at compressing this problem into something that feels manageable.
Overall, this video successfully breaks down the deteriorating mental health of young adults into a concise exploration that’s easily comprehended. However, there could have been more of an individual voice to supplement the academic aspect of this video and further illuminate the human nature of the problem. Mental health is no longer an issue that separates people based on an inability to relate. Instead, it unites people together through their understanding and desire to help others.
I’d give this video 3.5/5 stars.
Ali Grutchfield is a junior pursuing Film and Television Production at the Savannah College of Art and Design. She spends her time producing both visual and written content for District, the school’s online news platform, being President of the SCAD’s Film Club, producing and editing student films, reading mystery novels, and drinking coffee with her cat, Jingle.
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