Problems in College and Their Solutions Essay Example

intoxicated to determine consent for sexual activity. Excessive alcohol consumption not only affects students but also impacts nearby residents by causing noise, disturbances, property damage, intoxication, vomiting, and public urination. Although there has been a slight decrease in binge drinking among young adults in the past decade, college students still have higher rates compared to their non-college attending peers. To address this issue, various strategies can be implemented to reduce alcohol consumption among college students. Many effective approaches involve modifying the availability of alcohol on and around college campuses (Dimeff et al., 1995).

This includes:

• Outlet Thickness

Research has shown that having a high concentration of bars, eateries, and stores that sell alcohol in a small area results in increased alcohol-related problems. Recent studies have also indicated that the presence of numerous drinking establishments near college campuses leads to higher rates of drinking, underage drinking, heavy drinking, and alcohol-related issues. The density of alcohol outlets can have a negative impact on the entire community. People living near college campuses are more likely to report a decline in the quality of their neighborhood life. However, restricting the number of alcohol outlets in these areas can help reduce disruptions caused by excessive alcohol consumption.

This includes:

• Alcohol Cost

Raising the price of alcohol consistently proves effective in reducing overall drinking and addressing related problems within the general population.

According to a recent study, college students may be deterred from consuming alcohol due to its increasing costs. The study discovered that if the price of a drink increased by $1 above the

average price of $2.17, students were 33 percent less likely to transition between different levels of drinking (from non-drinker to moderate drinker or from moderate drinker to heavy drinker).

• Requirement for Liquor Strategies

Schools and colleges have implemented various policies regarding alcohol use among students. A study revealed that in one state system, stricter enforcement by campus security officers of policies against underage drinking was linked with lower rates of heavy drinking among students.

Mental health crisis

The occurrence of diagnosable mental illnesses and related behavioral problems has significantly risen on college campuses. The media has drawn attention to incidents such as emotional distress, suicide, and acts of violence associated with mental illness on college campuses, emphasizing the importance of addressing this escalating crisis.

The Extent of the Crisis

A survey conducted in the spring of 2006, involving over 94,000 students, focused on the mental and emotional well-being of undergraduates (Kitzrow, 2003). The results showed that during the last school year, 67% of women and 55% of men experienced occasional sadness. Additionally, it was reported that intense depression affected their ability to function on at least one occasion for 47% of women and 38% of men. Disturbingly, a significant percentage admitted to seriously considering suicide; specifically, this included10% of women and 8% of men. The presence of therapeutic courses offered at universities suggests inadequate preparation by high school teachers for the academic challenges in college.

Recommended Ways to Solve the Mental Health Crisis

It is crucial for all parties involved to promptly address this crisis in order to prevent its continuation (Kitzrow, 2003).

Investing resources in supporting campus counseling centers,

especially in state-funded colleges, is crucial for addressing the issues frequently reported by students. This investment enables the provision of effective preventive systems and medications to tackle these problems. Furthermore, supporting counseling centers not only alleviates human suffering but also addresses other challenges faced by schools. Additionally, it is worth noting that among students in the US, the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) reported include human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, trichomoniasis, and HIV.

The most common sexually transmitted disease in the US is Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), affecting 20 million individuals aged 15 to 24 (Cates, 1999). A UK review suggests that young people worldwide engage in risky behavior, as demonstrated by a study at one school where younger students have higher levels of sexual activity and low condom usage. This behavior leads to increased risky sexual behavior. The study emphasizes that many young adults aged 17 to 25 are unnecessarily jeopardizing their health due to limited knowledge about sexually transmitted infections and their long-term consequences. These findings specifically pertain to young women visiting private GYN offices.

It has been found that young people, including both males and females, often do not consistently use condoms (Cates, 1999). These young patients frequently request "Can you test me for all sexually transmitted diseases and for an HIV test?" It is common for sexual activity to begin at a younger age and for individuals to have multiple past partners. These findings have important implications for society, particularly when examining risky adolescent sexual behavior and unintended pregnancies (Cates, 1999).

References

1. Dimeff, L. A., Kilmer, J., Baer, J. S., ; Marlatt, G. A. (1995). Binge drinking in college. JAMA, 273(24), 1903-1904.
2. Kitzrow,

M. A.

The text includes two references: a journal article titled "The mental health needs of today's college students: Challenges and recommendations" published in 2003, and another journal article titled "Estimates of the incidence and prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases in the United States" authored by Cates Jr. in 1999. The first article is from the NASPA journal, volume 41, issue 1, pages 167-181. The second article is from the Sexually transmitted diseases journal, volume 26, issue 4, pages S2-S7.