BC-VA--University-Mental Health Aid/154
U.Va. students increasingly seeking mental health aid

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — University of Virginia health officials say that students at the school are seeking out psychological help in record numbers.

Executive Director of Student Health Dr. Chris Holstege tells The Daily Progress (http://bit.ly/1V9fcIg ) that the number of U.Va. students seeking appointments at the university's office of Counseling and Psychological Services, rose 25 percent in the past year.

He says the increase follows a 19 percent rise over the past 10 years, with appointments outpacing student growth.

That trend is echoed in a Center for Collegiate Mental Health survey that shows students' use of psychological services to have grown by about 25 percent at 93 major universities in the past six years.

Counselors say the increase shows that more students are willing to seek help, but Holstege also says more students have significant amounts of stress and anxiety.

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Information from: The Daily Progress, http://www.dailyprogress.com

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