Mental Health Aid for Students with Disabilities at the University of Idaho
Faculty Mentor Information
Erik Luvaas, University of Idaho
Presentation Date
7-2025
Abstract
College students with disabilities are experiencing mental health concerns at a far higher rate than students without disabilities (Aguilar & Lipson, 2021). College students with disabilities are more likely to report non-suicidal self-harm, suicidal ideation, social anxiety, depression, and stress than students without disabilities (Fleming et al., 2018). While this demographic is more likely to seek out mental health services, barriers exist that may reduce the effectiveness of and the amount of time students work with these resources (e.g., accommodations and financial barriers) (O’Shea et al., 2021). Recent literature has indicated a need for qualitative research on students with disabilities who also have co-occurring mental health issues and their experiences as college students outside of academics (Solís García et al., 2024). This proposed research methodology presentation is a mixed-methods exploratory study seeking to understand the lived experience of college students with disabilities in different domains of university life including academics, social spheres, and use of mental health services. The study will aim to elucidate the interaction between mental health issues and disabilities as identified in gaps in knowledge present in quantitative research. Furthermore, survey and interview data will serve to point to effective supports specific to this population. By analyzing first-hand experiences of students with disabilities and mental health issues, current resources may be optimized to better fit students’ needs and create a safer, more mental health-conscious campus environment.
References
Aguilar, O., & Lipson, S. (2021). A Public Health Approach to Understanding the Mental Health Needs of College Students with Disabilities: Results From a National Survey. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 2021(3), 273. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1325421.pdf
Fleming, A. R., Edwin, M., Hayes, J. A., Locke, B. D., & Lockard, A. J. (2018). Treatment- seeking college students with disabilities: Presenting concerns, protective factors, and academic distress. Rehabilitation Psychology, 63(1), 55–67. https://doi.org/10.1037/rep0000193
O’Shea, A., Kilcullen, J. R., Hayes, J., & Scofield, B. (2021). Examining the effectiveness of campus counseling for college students with disabilities. Rehabilitation Psychology, 66(3), 300–310. https://doi.org/10.1037/rep0000349
Solís García, P., Real Castelao, S., & Barreiro-Collazo, A. (2024). Trends and challenges in the mental health of university students with disabilities: A Systematic Review. Behavioral Sciences, 14(2), 111. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14020111
Mental Health Aid for Students with Disabilities at the University of Idaho
College students with disabilities are experiencing mental health concerns at a far higher rate than students without disabilities (Aguilar & Lipson, 2021). College students with disabilities are more likely to report non-suicidal self-harm, suicidal ideation, social anxiety, depression, and stress than students without disabilities (Fleming et al., 2018). While this demographic is more likely to seek out mental health services, barriers exist that may reduce the effectiveness of and the amount of time students work with these resources (e.g., accommodations and financial barriers) (O’Shea et al., 2021). Recent literature has indicated a need for qualitative research on students with disabilities who also have co-occurring mental health issues and their experiences as college students outside of academics (Solís García et al., 2024). This proposed research methodology presentation is a mixed-methods exploratory study seeking to understand the lived experience of college students with disabilities in different domains of university life including academics, social spheres, and use of mental health services. The study will aim to elucidate the interaction between mental health issues and disabilities as identified in gaps in knowledge present in quantitative research. Furthermore, survey and interview data will serve to point to effective supports specific to this population. By analyzing first-hand experiences of students with disabilities and mental health issues, current resources may be optimized to better fit students’ needs and create a safer, more mental health-conscious campus environment.
References
Aguilar, O., & Lipson, S. (2021). A Public Health Approach to Understanding the Mental Health Needs of College Students with Disabilities: Results From a National Survey. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 2021(3), 273. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1325421.pdf
Fleming, A. R., Edwin, M., Hayes, J. A., Locke, B. D., & Lockard, A. J. (2018). Treatment- seeking college students with disabilities: Presenting concerns, protective factors, and academic distress. Rehabilitation Psychology, 63(1), 55–67. https://doi.org/10.1037/rep0000193
O’Shea, A., Kilcullen, J. R., Hayes, J., & Scofield, B. (2021). Examining the effectiveness of campus counseling for college students with disabilities. Rehabilitation Psychology, 66(3), 300–310. https://doi.org/10.1037/rep0000349
Solís García, P., Real Castelao, S., & Barreiro-Collazo, A. (2024). Trends and challenges in the mental health of university students with disabilities: A Systematic Review. Behavioral Sciences, 14(2), 111. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14020111