Essay: The Following Options Are For Your Second Paper

Essay 2the Following Options Are For Your Second Paper In This Course

Analyze the prevalence of suicide among college students in the United States, providing relevant statistics on suicides and attempts. Examine the pressures exerted on students that may lead to suicidal thoughts or actions, using Sylvia Plath’s novel The Bell Jar as a case study to illustrate a student losing control and struggling with mental health issues. Discuss how Plath’s character, Esther Greenwood, demonstrates characteristics similar to those of students who are suicidal, and evaluate the availability of mental health services today compared to the 1950s. Support your analysis with credible research and sources, and ensure proper MLA formatting for citations and works cited.

Paper For Above instruction

Suicide among college students is a significant public health concern in the United States, with alarming statistics highlighting its prevalence and the underlying pressures faced by students today. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the second leading cause of death among college-aged individuals aged 15-24, underscoring the critical need for effective prevention strategies and mental health support (CDC, 2022). In 2019, there were approximately 1,200 suicides among college students nationwide, with even more making serious suicide attempts. A study by Brodbeck (2019) reveals that over 80% of college students who attempted suicide did not seek help from campus counseling services, often due to stigma or lack of awareness. Similarly, the National Institute of Mental Health reports that in 2015, an estimated 10.8% of college students had suicidal ideation, emphasizing how widespread the issue is (NIMH, 2015). These numbers suggest that interventions on campuses remain insufficient and highlight the importance of understanding the psychological pressures students endure.

In Sylvia Plath’s novel The Bell Jar, the protagonist Esther Greenwood embodies many of the emotional struggles faced by students susceptible to suicidal ideation. Esther’s experience offers a profound case study into how mental health issues manifest in academic and social settings, especially in a period where mental health stigma was profound and treatment options were limited. As a young woman navigating college, internship pressures, societal expectations, and her own identity crises, Esther’s psychological deterioration reflects common themes among students today who feel overwhelmed and isolated. Her recurrent reflections in the mirror, feelings of insecurity, and loss of control over her life mirror the symptoms of depression and suicidal tendencies (Plath, 2019). During her internship in New York, Esther observes her fragility and detachment, experiencing episodes of intense despair that escalate into suicide attempts, including slashing her wrist and contemplating hanging herself. These actions depict the depth of her crisis, paralleling real-life cases where students attempt suicide amid academic stress, social alienation, and mental health struggles.

The novel illustrates how societal and personal pressures contribute to Esther’s mental breakdown. Esther’s feelings of inadequacy, her sense of being misunderstood, and her difficulty establishing independence are resonant with contemporary student experiences. Research indicates that modern students face relentless academic expectations, financial concerns, and social anxieties which compound mental health issues (Elflein, 2021). Today, many universities have introduced counseling centers, crisis hotlines, and mental health awareness programs. Yet, despite these resources, a significant gap remains as roughly 80-90% of students who attempt suicide have never utilized campus mental health services, citing stigma and fear of judgment (Brodbeck, 2019). In the 1950s, mental health issues were often misunderstood, and treatment was inadequate, often institutionalized or ignored. Today, however, the realization of mental health’s importance has fostered widespread awareness, reducing stigma substantially and expanding support networks.

Furthermore, the connection between Esther’s character and contemporary student mental health is evident in her emotional isolation and fear of societal rejection. She struggles to communicate her feelings and feels disconnected from her peers, who, like her, are also caught up in societal expectations. Her boss’s criticism and her friends’ superficial conversations amplify her sense of alienation, echoing current challenges where students often feel their struggles are invisible or invalid (Smith, 2019). Esther’s inability to find support and her desperate bids to escape her psychological pain mirror the experiences of students worldwide who grapple with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

In conclusion, Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar provides invaluable insights into the mental health struggles of students, portraying the devastating effects of untreated depression and suicidal tendencies. Although mental health awareness has improved significantly since the 1950s, a large proportion of students continue to suffer in silence without seeking help due to stigma and lack of accessible services. The statistics underscore the urgency of implementing comprehensive mental health programs and fostering an environment where students feel safe to seek support. As society advances, it remains imperative to learn from both historical and literary examples like Esther Greenwood’s story and to continue investing in mental health resources that can save lives.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS). CDC. https://www.cdc.gov
• Brodbeck, Ben. (2019). Suicide Second Highest Cause of College Deaths. SafeColleges. https://www.safecolleges.com
• Elflein, John. (2021). Suicide Considerations among College Students by Year U.S. Statista. https://www.statista.com
• Millard, Chris. (2015). Self-Harm Becomes Epidemic: Mental Health (1959) and Suicide (1961) Acts. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
• Plath, Sylvia. (2019). The Bell Jar. Faber & Faber.
• Smith, Rachel. (2019). Our History and Future: 70 Years of the Mental Health Foundation. Mental Health Foundation. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2015). Suicide Statistics. NIMH. https://www.nimh.nih.gov