Suicide is the leading cause of death[1] for college students and this guy is going to criticize the addition of resources to help handle stress? It just reads like ignorance.
1: http://news.virginia.edu/content/more-us-college-students-di...
And I personally think the point is very relevant. OP says students are coddled and campus stress isn't a big deal. GP brings up statistics showing that campus stress IS a big deal because it can lead to suicide. Seem very relevant to me.
Well, actually they probably did. That's why we have all these statistics telling us how many kids in college kill themselves. Because they needed those things.
There are many reasons for one to go the route of suicide, and in many cases no degree of counseling would help. But, for counseling to help it needs to address the root causes of the problem for that person, which may be unique to that person. Almost all of the programs the author is complaining about will not address that in any way. Especially the programs that don't even involve much stress to begin with.
As for suicide rates, I'm curious as to how far off the statistics you are referring to are from the national average. Personally, right now, I'm more concerned over the suicide rates of soldiers.
> in many cases no degree of counseling would help
In many cases? Really?
> for counseling to help it needs to address the root causes of the problem for that person,
That just isn't true. There are cognitive, behavioral and a combination of both that help people all the time. Therapy that focuses on changing behavior patterns (ie CBT) and not on your root causes are often most effective. Many therapists also use therapy dogs because they're so effective, something this guy railed against like it was turning students into children.
> I'm more concerned over the suicide rates of soldiers.
How is that related?
It is true, but I'll admit it's not true for everyone. People's reasons for suicide can be quite complex and often times no one but the person knows or understands the reasoning. To change behaviors without addressing the root causes of the behavior provides the possibility of the behavior returning. It's much the same with alcoholism and drug addiction.
How is this discussion related to the original article that didn't bring this subject matter up? It's related because suicide rates came up in the discussion and I stated that I'm personally more worried over soldiers returning from war who receive next to no help versus students who agonize getting counseling over what classes they should take next semester. If a student is depressed and considering suicide because they feel they are failing themselves, their parents, or whatever to the point of considering suicide, then I want help available for them. But then, no one here has said anything about being against that, right?
Reducing stress is an overall better policy, as long as it doesn't get in the way of receiving an actual education. I think that's an important conversation to have.
Why do so many people feel the need to redefine people's words/thoughts and dictate what they mean?
My college doesn't have counselors, and I wish it had,if only to help me navigate the stupid bureaucracy that adults insist anyone should be able to navigate.
Instead, I find myself more comfortable and less stressed at my actual job, so it's not just that I'm "coddled", or that I expect to be sheltered from how the real world works.
But, I agree, helping students focus more on learning is a good thing. Then again, let's not remove life lessons in the process. Such as dealing with bureaucracy.
Think positive. With counselors, and puppies, and trigger warnings and all that silliness, college can be more demanding than it used to be without making people spend what should be their prime years in a state of chronic stress.
Consider what college students of previous generations did to unwind. Was that really better?