Dr. Emily Rooney, When Learning Hurts: Addressing College Student Mental Health

Mental health is not separate from learning, it shapes it.In this deeply important episode of I Love Learning, Dr. Gina Anderson sits down with Dr. Emily Rooney, Assistant Professor of Psychology at The Citadel, whose research focuses on the mental health of college students.Recent tragedy in the Charleston community has reminded us that behind every student ID is a human being navigating pressure, identity, uncertainty, and often silent struggle. Across the United States, young adults are facing rising levels of anxiety, depression, and emotional distress — and our campuses must respond with more than academic rigor alone.In this conversation, we discuss:• The growing mental health crisis among college students• Why high-achieving environments can mask emotional pain• Warning signs educators, parents, and peers should not ignore• How institutions can create cultures of psychological safety• What it truly means to support the “whole learner”If we care about student success, we must care about student wellbeing.This episode is honest, compassionate, and necessary.If you or someone you know is struggling in the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You are not alone.