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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 7, No. 3. May 3, 1944

Mental Health in the College

Mental Health in the College

The health service which has recently been instituted for the benefit of the students of Victoria College must surely meet with the approval of the great majority of the people affected. I would point out, however, that the scheme has overlooked one aspect of student health which is of the greatest importance. It must surely be recognised, at any rate by such a body as the University, that mental health is quite as liable to maladjustment as physical health. As a matter of fact the problem of mental maladjustment is of greater importance to a student body than to the population at large. Research in U.S.A. has shown that at least 15% of students are urgently in need of psychological treatment and that many more would greatly benefit from it. The corresponding figure for the population at large is 10%.

The reason for this higher percentage of maladjustment among students lies in the abnormal conditions of the life they are called upon to lead. They are exposed to a particularly violent form of the competitiveness which obtains throughout our society. The prolonged strain of examinations superimposed upon other conditions favourable to maladjustment must have a considerable precipitating effect. Among these conditions is the delay which a student must experience in attaining full economic independence. Even though he may be able to support himself by holding down a job as well as carrying out his student activities, it is seldom that he attains an economic status which enables him to marry and look upon himself and his course in life as settled. He is still in a stage of preparation for the time when, physically, emotionally, and traditionally, he is developed enough to take a more active part in society.

The conflicts which such a situation must, engender necessarily give rise to a mental condition predisposed toward breakdown. It is small wonder that our percentage of mental instability is half as great again as in the rest of the community.

The situation is sufficiently serious to merit our earnest attention. Moreover, we should be greatly encouraged to deal actively with the problem by the fact that we have on our college staff at present men whose training and ability maltes them capable of giving invaluable help. I am sure that they would be willing to assist in any scheme which the student body may and should devise.

John Money and Gwen Jolly.