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More Students Turn to Campus Counseling as Academic and Financial Pressure Grows
More Students Turn to Campus Counseling as Academic and Financial Pressure Grows
Tyler Harmon, Mass Communications Student
Tyler Harmon, Mass Communications Student
September 2026
September 2026
ST. LOUIS — Between classes, work shifts and rising expenses, many community college students say stress has become part of their daily routine.
At local campuses across the St. Louis area, counseling services are seeing more students schedule appointments, reflecting a broader national trend in student mental health concerns.
Sophomore psychology major Marcus Reed said he didn’t expect college to feel as overwhelming as it sometimes does.
“I thought the hardest part would just be the classes,” Reed said. “But it’s everything combined; school, work, money. It builds up.”
Reed works nearly 28 hours a week at a grocery store while attending classes full time. He said the pressure began to affect his sleep and concentration earlier this semester.
“I’d get home from work at 10 or 11 p.m., then try to study,” he said. “I was exhausted. I started feeling anxious all the time.”
After encouragement from a friend, Reed made an appointment with the campus counseling center.
“I was nervous at first,” he said. “I didn’t know what to expect. But it helped just having someone listen.”
According to the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment, more than 75% of college students reported experiencing moderate to serious psychological distress during the past academic year. Anxiety and depression were among the most commonly reported concerns.
Community college students often face additional pressures. Many commute, support themselves financially or contribute to family expenses while pursuing their degrees.
Reed said financial stress is one of the biggest challenges.
“Tuition, books, gas, rent, it adds up fast,” he said. “You’re constantly thinking about money while trying to focus on exams.”
Campus counseling centers typically provide short-term therapy, stress management strategies and referrals for long-term care if needed. Many colleges have also expanded virtual counseling options, allowing students to attend sessions remotely.
Reed said the flexibility made it easier to attend appointments.
“I could schedule sessions around my classes,” he said. “That made a big difference.”
Students say the growing openness around mental health has helped reduce stigma on campus. Social media conversations and peer discussions have made seeking support feel more normal than in previous years.
“I think people are more comfortable talking about it now,” Reed said. “It’s not seen as weird like it might have been before.”
Still, some students hesitate to reach out.
“There’s always that feeling that you should just push through it,” Reed said. “But sometimes pushing through doesn’t work.”
National data suggests that mental health struggles can impact academic performance. The American College Health Association reports that stress and emotional challenges are linked to lower academic outcomes and higher dropout risk.
Reed said he noticed changes in his own performance before seeking help.
“I wasn’t focusing in lectures,” he said. “I’d reread the same page over and over.”
After several counseling sessions, he said he learned coping strategies that improved his routine.
“It didn’t magically fix everything,” Reed said. “But I feel more in control now.”
Students interviewed said access to counseling on campus is important because it removes barriers such as transportation and additional costs.
“If it wasn’t here on campus, I probably wouldn’t have gone,” Reed said. “It just makes it easier.”
As the semester progresses, students say balancing responsibilities remains challenging. However, many believe conversations around mental health are becoming more visible and accepted.
“College is stressful,” Reed said. “That’s not new. But having support available makes it manageable.”
For students facing similar pressures, Reed offered simple advice: “At least try one session. You don’t lose anything by talking.”
American College Health Association. (2023). National College Health Assessment III: Undergraduate Student Reference Group Executive Summary. Retrieved from https://www.acha.org
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