Logan Reid
There are many reasons why college students may be hospitalized. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way higher education is structured and delivered, presenting challenges for college students that have the potential to negatively impact their mental health. For example, limited access to resources and social support, increased unemployment, and abrupt changes in education delivery have all been challenges that college students have faced during the pandemic. Additionally, colleges across North Carolina have struggled to track COVID-19 hospitalizations among their students, with most schools not knowing the number of hospitalizations. However, it is important to note that an increase in positive cases among students does not seem to be causing more people to get seriously sick and require hospitalization. Aside from COVID-19, alcohol consumption is prevalent among college students and can lead to hospitalizations due to alcohol poisoning, sexual assault, physical assault, and death. Binge drinking is common among college students, and it is estimated that 1,825 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die from alcohol-related injuries each year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of college students hospitalized with COVID-19 in North Carolina | UNC-Chapel Hill reported two hospitalizations. Seven schools reported no hospitalizations. |
| Alcohol-related injuries among college students | 1,825 college students die from alcohol-related injuries each year. |
| Alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape among college students | 97,000 students report experiencing alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape each year. |
| College student mental health | COVID-19 has negatively impacted the mental health of college students, causing higher levels of stress, depressive symptoms, and anxiety. |
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What You'll Learn
COVID-19 hospitalizations
While colleges and universities have been a major source of COVID-19 outbreaks, data on the number of hospitalizations of students has been scarce. Most schools don't know the number of hospitalizations, and federal laws do not require them to withhold this information. However, there have been reports of college students hospitalized due to COVID-19 complications. For instance, San Diego County Public Health officials announced that a San Diego State University student was hospitalized, and in Kansas, a college student was hospitalized with COVID-19 complications.
UNC-Chapel Hill reported two hospitalizations, the only instances among UNC schools. Both cases involved students and were considered non-critical. Additionally, at the University of Michigan, a fraternity member tested positive, leading to a cluster of cases tied to fraternities and sororities. Despite these incidents, President Donald Trump pushed for colleges and universities to remain open, claiming they are "extremely low-risk environments."
The hospitalization rate for people in their 20s who test positive for COVID-19 is under 4%, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, infectious disease experts and university officials express concern about the virus spreading to at-risk individuals in neighboring communities. Furthermore, the mental health impact of COVID-19 on college students cannot be overlooked. Studies have found that COVID-19 hospitalizations may be a risk factor for suicide attempts, with social isolation and hopelessness contributing factors.
The long-term effects of COVID-19, known as long COVID, have been observed in patients with varying initial illness severity, including those who were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms. Long COVID can negatively affect the quality of life, causing persistent symptoms that impair daily activities and educational pursuits. The risk of long COVID is reduced with vaccination, and many colleges and universities mandated vaccines before the fall 2021 semester.
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$64.95
Alcohol-related hospitalizations
The impact of excessive drinking among college students is far-reaching. Approximately 1,825 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die from alcohol-related injuries each year. Additionally, 696,000 students will be physically assaulted by another drunk student, and 97,000 students will experience alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape. Alcohol is the most commonly used date-rape drug, and its involvement in sexual assaults on college campuses is a growing concern.
To address this issue, colleges have started defining what constitutes sexual consent, regardless of alcohol consumption. They have also implemented mandatory sentences for those who commit alcohol-facilitated sexual assaults. However, these measures do not address the long-term mental and emotional trauma that thousands of students experience due to alcohol-induced sexual assaults each year.
Alcohol poisoning can have severe and fatal consequences, including confusion, vomiting, seizures, and death. Binge drinking is prevalent among college students due to the ingrained drinking culture in colleges, with almost 90% of students admitting to consuming alcohol. Understanding the impact of excessive drinking and providing support for those affected are crucial steps in mitigating the dangers associated with alcohol consumption among college students.
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Mental health hospitalizations
College can be a stressful time for many students, with academic pressure, separation from family, and work and family responsibilities all taking a toll on mental health. The transition to college life can be challenging, and students often face new academic pressures. Social pressures, societal concerns, and microaggressions, sexual harassment, and discrimination can also negatively impact students' mental health. As a result, many college students experience the onset or exacerbation of mental health problems.
The Healthy Minds study, a large online survey of college mental health, found that only about 36% of students who screened positive for a mental health problem, including depression, panic disorder, GAD, suicidal ideation, or self-injury, received treatment in a given year. Similarly, the 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) showed that only 18% of students with a past-year mental health diagnosis received treatment. The low rates of help-seeking in this population may be due to fear of stigma, not perceiving treatment as urgent or essential, and lack of time.
To address these concerns, there have been efforts to increase college students' access to and utilization of mental health services. Recommendations include starting conversations about mental health to reduce stigma, making mental health promotion and suicide prevention a campus-wide effort, and integrating training into academics and student life. Additionally, increasing collaboration between university health centers and behavioral health services may enhance the identification and referral of students for treatment.
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Withholding of COVID-19 hospitalization data
In October 2020, it was reported that most schools did not know the number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19. The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal contacted media relations at each of the 16 UNC system universities, inquiring about the number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 among students, faculty, and staff. UNC-Chapel Hill reported two hospitalizations involving students, which were non-critical cases treated in June and July. Seven schools, including UNC Pembroke, UNC Wilmington, Western Carolina University, and Elizabeth City State University, stated that they had no reported hospitalizations.
However, there have been reports of college students hospitalized due to COVID-19 complications. For instance, a student at San Diego State University was hospitalized, as announced by San Diego County Public Health officials. Additionally, Kansas's governor, Laura Kelly, reported a college student hospitalization within the state.
The withholding of COVID-19 hospitalization data among college students may be attributed to legal interpretations of federal laws and concerns for student privacy. Legal experts have stated that federal laws do not mandate the disclosure of overall coronavirus data by educational institutions. The Department of Education's FERPA guidelines allow schools to share coronavirus data as long as students' personal information is protected. This has resulted in varying levels of transparency among universities, with some choosing to withhold data or share limited information.
The lack of comprehensive COVID-19 hospitalization data from colleges and universities has implications for public health and policy decisions. During the pandemic, President Donald Trump advocated for colleges and universities to remain open, claiming that they are ""extremely low-risk environments." His decision was based on data showing thousands of COVID-19 cases on campuses but no hospitalizations. However, infectious disease experts and university officials expressed concern about the potential spread of the virus to neighboring communities and at-risk individuals.
The impact of COVID-19 hospitalizations on college students' mental health has also been a subject of study. Research has found a correlation between COVID-19 symptom severity and an increased risk of suicide attempts among hospitalized college students. The stress and social isolation associated with the illness may contribute to suicidal ideation. These findings highlight the importance of mental health support and screening for college students hospitalized with COVID-19 to mitigate potential suicide risks.
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Sexual assault and hospitalizations
Alcohol is now the most commonly used date-rape "drug," and its disinhibiting effects can lead to poor decision-making and impaired judgment. Binge drinking, a common occurrence on college campuses, can result in alcohol poisoning, which may include symptoms such as confusion, vomiting, seizures, and even death. Unfortunately, the emotional and mental trauma caused by alcohol-induced sexual assault can be long-lasting and detrimental to the well-being of students.
In addition to sexual assault, excessive alcohol consumption also contributes to physical assaults on college campuses. Approximately 696,000 students are physically assaulted by another student who has been drinking each year. This highlights the pervasive nature of alcohol-related violence in academic settings.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a significant impact on the mental health of college students. The abrupt changes in the structure and delivery of higher education, limited access to resources, and social distancing guidelines have all contributed to increased stress, depressive symptoms, and anxiety. Furthermore, college students may face financial challenges due to reduced work hours or unemployment, further exacerbating their mental health struggles.
Hospitalization for mental health concerns is not uncommon among college students. The stigma surrounding mental health diagnoses should not deter students from seeking the support they need. Withdrawing from a semester to focus on well-being or continuing classes is a personal decision that should be made with the guidance of professionals.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear how many college students have been hospitalized due to COVID-19 as most schools don't know the number of hospitalizations. UNC-Chapel Hill reported two hospitalizations in June and July 2020, which were the only instances they were aware of.
Hospitalization for mental health concerns is common for college students. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the mental health of college students, with many experiencing increased levels of stress, depression, and anxiety.
The pandemic has altered the structure of higher education, presenting challenges that negatively impact the mental health of college students. College students have also faced reduced work hours or complete job loss, and many were excluded from receiving government stimulus payments.
Binge drinking is common among college students and can lead to alcohol poisoning, which causes confusion, vomiting, seizures, and even death. Excessive drinking can also increase the risk of sexual assault, with alcohol identified as a catalyst in many cases of date rape.
