Mental disorders are conditions that impact mood, thinking, and behavior. They can affect academic success, relationships, and personal well-being. College students, balancing new independence, academic pressure, and life transitions, are especially vulnerable.

According to the American College Health Association, nearly 60% of college students report experiencing overwhelming anxiety, and 40% report feeling so depressed that it was difficult to function. Drew students are not exempt from these challenges, and understanding them is the first step to support.

1. Anxiety Disorders

• Description: Constant worry or fear that interferes with daily activities.
• Symptoms: Racing thoughts, restlessness, rapid heartbeat, sleep disturbances
• Drew Resource: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers stress-reduction workshops and individual therapy.
• Learn More: ADAA - Anxiety

2. Depression

• Description: Persistent sadness or loss of interest.
• Symptoms: Low energy, changes in appetite, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts
• Drew Resource: CAPS provides screenings and access to licensed mental health professionals. Peer support and RA referrals are also available.
• National Resource: NIMH - Depression

3. ADHD

• Description: Difficulty sustaining attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
• Symptoms: Inattentiveness, procrastination, trouble completing tasks
• Drew Resource: Disability & Access Services provides academic accommodations for students with a documented diagnosis.
• Learn More: CHADD

4. Bipolar Disorder

• Description: Alternating episodes of mania and depression.
• Symptoms: Mood swings, energy surges, impulsive behavior, followed by crashes
• Drew Resource: CAPS can refer students to psychiatrists for medication management and long-term support plans.
• Support Resource: DBSA

5. Eating Disorders

• Types: Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder
• Symptoms: Extreme restriction, purging, food obsession, body dysmorphia
• Drew Resource: CAPS therapists can support recovery or refer to specialists in the local area.
• National Help: NEDA

6. PTSD

• Description: Trauma-induced anxiety with flashbacks or emotional numbness.
• Symptoms: Nightmares, avoidance, detachment, panic attacks
• Drew Resource: CAPS offers trauma-informed therapy and crisis intervention.
• Info:  National Center for PTSD - Includes self-assessment tools, videos, and coping strategies for students.

Sometimes the best way to manage stress or mental health challenges is to slow down and recharge, and that’s exactly what the Zen Den at Drew helps you do.

What is it?

The Zen Den is a dedicated relaxation space located in the Eberhardt 4 Townhouse, designed to promote mindfulness, calm, and mental well-being. It's open to all students and completely free to use.

Features include:

• Soft lighting and comfortable seating
• Mindfulness activities and calming music
• Aromatherapy tools and wellness resources
• A quiet space for breathing exercises, journaling, or meditation

Why it matters:
Whether you're managing anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, or need 15 minutes of peace between classes, the Zen Den gives you a safe, judgment-free space to ground yourself.

Pro Tip: Bring headphones, a journal, or your favorite playlist and make it your personal chill zone for a little while.

(🕒 Hours vary, check with the Counseling Center Front desk, @drewcounseling on instagram, or the Wellness Center website for the current schedule.)

As part of our research for the Action Scholars project on mental health at Drew, we created a list of interview questions to gather honest and personal perspectives from our peers.

These questions were designed to explore real experiences, opinions, and ideas for change.

Interview Questions:

1. How would you define mental health in your own words?
2. Do you think mental health is prioritized enough on campus? Why or why not?
3. What kinds of mental health challenges do you think students at Drew struggle with the most?
4. Have you or someone you know used mental health resources at Drew (like CAPS, the Zen Den, or Wellness Center)? If so, how was that experience?
5. What are some signs that someone might be struggling with their mental health?
6. How do you personally take care of your mental health while being a student?
7. What do you wish Drew offered to better support student mental health?
8. Do you feel there’s still stigma around mental health on campus? Why or why not?
9. How comfortable would you feel reaching out for help if you needed it?
10. What message would you give to a fellow student who’s currently struggling with their mental health?

(✨ Note: These responses helped shape our understanding of how mental health disorders show up in real time for students at Drew—and how we can take action to support each other better.)

If you would like to also answer these questions and give us your responses, here is the link to the Google Form:

Mental Health (Action Scholar Project)

At Drew, student mental health is taken seriously, but there is room for improvement. As part of this Action Scholars project, I created a Google form for my peers to answer questions about Mental Health at Drew University.

What Drew Offers:

• CAPS (Counseling & Psychological Services) – Free therapy sessions, workshops, and consultations.
• Student Wellness Center – Physical and mental health support in one location.
• Disability & Access Services – Support for students managing mental health disorders that impact academics.
• RAs & Peer Support – Trained to recognize mental health red flags and connect students with help.
• Mental Health Week & Student Orgs – Campus events dedicated to awareness and destigmatization.

(Did You Know?
CAPS is located at 36 Madison Avenue, across from the Commons. You can make an appointment by calling 973-408-3398 or visiting the Wellness Center website on Drew’s portal.)