Approximately a fifth of all Hamline students participated in the National College Health Assessment survey in 2017, which collected data on students’ substance usage habits, sexual habits and mental health characteristics.

According to Jodi Metz, Director of Counseling and Health Services, some of the positive trends from the survey are that the numbers of students abusing alcohol and binge drinking, as well as tobacco, are declining.

However, Metz says that despite the decrease in tobacco use, e-cigarettes are becoming an increasing concern.

“We do worry about the effect the emerging e-cigarette market will have on the college aged population, an industry that is still relatively unregulated and not shy about targeting college students. College is when most smokers start and become addicted,” she said.

The survey found that there is also a massive misperception among Hamline students in regard to the prevalence of alcohol consumption. Students who took the survey believe that 94.5 percent of Hamline students have consumed alcohol within 30 days of taking the survey. In reality, only 54.8 percent of participants had consumed alcohol in that time frame.

Metz says that the misperception is not surprising due to mainstream media’s glorification of drinking culture among college students.

“When we scroll through our feeds, it can seem like others are using more than they actually are by self selecting the things they share with others.” Metz said. “Even the more traditional forms of media tend to hype the party culture of college students for a ‘good story’ such that it can seem like ‘everyone is doing it, you should too.’”

Notable mental health results showed an increase in attempted or considered suicide among Hamline students, and that 30.5 percent of students on campus are impacted by anxiety, while 22.9 percent suffer from depression.

Katy Rimstad, a counselor in Counseling and Health Services and co-advisor of Peer Education says that it’s imperative that students know that there are resources on campus where they can get help.

“It is important for students to know that there are resources that they can use if they are feeling depressed, overwhelmed or suicidal,” Rimstad said. “On campus, students can receive free counseling at Counseling & Health Services. They can also receive help from the Dean of Students Office and Disability Resources, particularly if their mental health concerns are impacting their academics. If someone is in a crisis, they can contact the Ramsey County Urgent Care Crisis Line at 651-266-7900. As a community, we can all work to support one another and let others know they are cared for.”

Jaimie Bennett, a nurse in Counseling and Health Services and co-advisor to Peer Education,  says that student groups on campus can help get the word out about suicide prevention.

“The Peer Health Educators are a part of Counseling and Health Services and are a part of Student Leadership selection process on campus. It’s with their efforts, along with collaboration with other groups like the Women’s Resource Center, Students Preventing Sexual Violence, Rec Sports, Athletics, the Public Health and Exercise Science Departments, Marketing, and pre-med/pre-health students that we can better get the word out about prevention.”

In addition to mental health resources, Bennett says that there are also resources for sexual health on campus.

Notable findings in sexual health reported that 52.3 percent of students didn’t use a form of birth control contraception the last time that they engaged in vaginal intercourse.

“Undergraduate students at Hamline pay a student fee that provides access to Health Services where they can see a clinician for no additional cost. Lab tests, including STI tests like HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhea, are available at-cost for students to purchase.  While you don’t need insurance to use Hamline Health Services, students are also able to use their health insurance for lab tests if desired.”

The survey also found that most students (male 90.8 percent, female 87.2 percent) feel safe on campus in the daytime, but not during nighttime (male 49.4 percent, female 23.9 percent). Additionally, most Hamline students do not feel safe in the community surrounding campus during the daytime (male 39.1 percent, female 26.8 percent) or nighttime (male 5.7 percent, female 3.8 percent).

The results of the survey show that though some health risks are improving on campus, there is still a lot of work to be done to improve the mental, physical and sexual health of students on campus.

If Hamline students have any questions or concerns regarding the survey, contact Counseling and Health Services at (651) 523-2204.