Carroll Bill Expanding College Mental Health Services Passes House

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To better address the growing mental health concerns Illinois’ college students face, state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, is sponsoring legislation that asks universities to partner with local mental health service providers and students to create panels to help students adjust to college and adulthood.

“College students are under considerable pressure to do well academically and be actively engaged in their campus community while transitioning to adulthood,” said Carroll. “Expanding access to mental health resources would allow college students to know help is available for them when they need it.”

The Carroll-backed House Bill 2152 would require colleges and universities to address mental health issues by creating expert panels to advise students on helping fellow students as well as peer-to-peer support groups. The bill would also require the creation of partnerships with community mental health providers to make services available on campus with a minimum ratio of faculty to students. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, diagnoses of anxiety, depression and the frequency of panic attacks have risen in recent years among college students.

“This legislation will help college students collaborate on how to best address mental health concerns and help them not feel alone,” said Carroll. “We need to help young adults utilize their time in college and take care of themselves and their peers. When our students thrive, everyone thrives.”