The Work of College Counseling Centers in the Early 21st Century

What is it about?

For many years, the mental health of college students has been a major concern in higher education. Through a review of the research literature, this article will illuminate the reasons why at this time in history the mental health of college students is a top priority, the value of investing in campus counseling centers, and how college student mental health care must continue to evolve in order to meet the needs of increasingly diverse campuses. This article will provide an understanding of how college and university counseling centers past and present have always centered their work in the context of the socioecological environment of the times. Special attention will be paid to how societal and institutional forces have shaped both expectations for and delivery of care in the first quarter of the current century.

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Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The socioecological environment has the potential to support or to negatively impact students’ college experience. This article identifies specific contextual factors that today’s diverse college students are navigating and explores the challenges the college counseling centers must overcome to provide the services that students need and deserve.