- Lack of proper coping skills
- Limited programs geared towards supporting students with disabilities
- Less environmental and psychological supports

Factors Contributing to Lower Rates of Graduation

- Lower retention
- Lower graduation rates as well as an increased amount of time it takes to graduate 
- These rates have held constant over the years despite the increase in student with disabilities enrollment 

University of Virginia, Charlottesville

More and more students with disabilities are going to college. While this is an overall positive occurrence, research shows that individuals with a disability have overall lower mental health than their nondisabled peers. Students who receive professional and social support have better mental health and less academic issues. 

Mental Health and Professional Help-Seeking Among College Students with Disabilities

Coduti, W. A., Hayes, J. A., Locke, B. D., & Youn, S. J. (2016). Mental health and professional help-seeking among college students with disabilities. Rehabilitation Psychology, 61(3), 288–296.

Mental Health and Professional Help-Seeking Among College Students with Disabilities Reference

Academic Issues of Students with a Disability

- Legislation exists to protect the rights of students as well as individuals with disabilities in broader society
- However, additional programs, such as student accommodations in the classroom, are additional aids
- Counseling services exist but many employees lack the training or expertise needed to help students with disabilities’ mental health

Needs of College Students with Disabilities

- Having a disability does not seem to have any impact on eating concerns, hostility, family distress, or depression - there are indicators that disability status has an impact on academic distress and anxiety
- Students with a disability score higher on suicide ideation than their nondisabled peers, however, those in counseling have lower suicidal ideation than those not receiving mental health help
- Disability type influences the type of mental health issues experienced: for example, students with physical disabilities had lower scores than students with psychological disabilities on anxiety (social and generalized), hostility, and depression


Overall Mental Health of College Students

Overall, research indicates that the mental health of students with and without disabilities are not significantly different in areas such as depression. However, generalized anxiety is a major problem among disabled students. Students receiving mental health care fare better than those who do not, so colleges must actively strive to properly train counselors on the variety of needs disabled students may have. Additionally, increasing access to resources and support for both counselors and students is imperative. 

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