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Undergraduate Anxiety and Depression Is on the Rise

Reports indicate that anxiety and depression is up on college campuses—and so is the need for those with a master’s in clinical mental health counseling.

If you’re interested in becoming a counselor, it’s a great time to pursue the profession—and a master’s degree from a clinical mental health counseling graduate program will help get you there.

Recent studies indicate the need for college and university counselors continues to grow as more and more undergraduates seek counseling for anxiety and depression.1

Undergraduate Anxiety and Depression Is on the Rise

Whether you’re investigating on-campus or online counseling degrees, including an online master’s in clinical mental health counseling, this upswing in the need for counseling translates into an increased demand for counselors with the right credentials.

More counselors needed to support students with anxiety and depression

A recent report from the American College Health Association found that 61% of college students felt overwhelming anxiety in the prior 12 months and 39% felt so depressed it was difficult for them to function.2 A separate study conducted by the Collegiate Center for Mental Health found that the number of college students turning to their school’s counseling services for treatment of anxiety and/or depression is rising on a yearly basis.3

These high and increasing rates of anxiety and depression among college students could translate into increased demand for those with a degree from a clinical mental health counseling graduate program. Indeed, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ predicts 13% employment growth for school and career counselors between 2016 and 2026.4

Earn an online master’s in clinical mental health counseling

Multiple reports on the mental health of college students demonstrate a growing need for school counselors who can identify the causes of anxiety and depression and develop strategies to help students successfully navigate challenges.

For those interested in becoming a school counselor at any academic level, including higher education, an online master’s in clinical mental health counseling program can provide the necessary training for a successful, enduring career that effects positive change in the lives of students of all ages.

Many working professionals find online counseling degrees, such as an online master’s in clinical mental health counseling, to be a good option for those with busy schedules that already include career and family commitments.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program online. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.


1Source: www.apa.org/advocacy/higher-education/mental-health/index.aspx
2Source: www.acha.org/documents/ncha/NCHA-II_FALL_2017_REFERENCE_GROUP_EXECUTIVE_SUMMARY.pdf
3Source: https://ccmh.psu.edu/files/2018/02/2017_CCMH_Report-1r4m88x.pdf
4Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/school-and-career-counselors.htm

Walden University’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and M.S. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CACREP accreditation is a requirement for licensure in many states. The M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is accredited as a mental health counseling program under the 2001 standards.

Notes on Licensure: The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and MS in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling programs are designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for licensing exams and to meet the academic licensure requirements of many state counseling boards. Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide guidance on licensure issues, however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand and comply with all state licensure requirements. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure.

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