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Ray and Ray discuss the link between declining mental health and rising substance use among college students post-COVID-19. Evidence shows increased substance usage among college students, with many turning to substances to cope with stress and uncertainty. Statistics reveal a high percentage of young adults using nicotine, alcohol, cannabis, and illicit drugs. A survey indicates that 70% of college students struggle with mental health, yet 63% never seek help. The issue is further explored through interviews with ASU students Mary Jane and Molly. Hello, hello, I'm Ray, and this is my son, Ray, and we're going to be talking about the In today's episode, we're going to be discussing a rather sensitive topic, mental health and substance usage. More specifically, we're going to be diving into the link between the declining mental health and rising substance use among college students, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. We're also going to be hearing from two current Arizona State University students who will answer questions relating to substance usage, effects on mental health because of substance usage, and their awareness of mental health resources on campus. Over the last few years, substance use among college students has dramatically increased. With the pandemic being a factor, the book chapter COVID-19 and the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Crisis by Goldfield explains how COVID-19 caused students to experience intense isolation, stress, hopelessness, and even uncertainty, which leads us to the next piece of evidence. Published in 2022, the academic article Substance Use Trajectories Among Urban College Students, Associations with Symptoms of Stress, Anxiety and Depression Before and During COVID-19 by Laura Brand shows that college students are more likely than non-college peers to develop alcohol use disorders and harmful cannabis habits. I've actually also seen this firsthand at ASU, which I know is known as a party school, but it's gotten to the point where people around me are using substances to study, sleep, and even attend class. In other words, substances are literally being used to feel normal. So why does this matter? Well, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration released a survey this year with statistics on substance usage from 2024. Based on the results, 58.3% of those aged 12 or older use nicotine, alcohol, cannabis, and even illicit drugs. That's more than half of young adults in the country. Further, according to the U.S. News and World Report, a survey consisting of the participation of 3,649 college students was conducted in March 2024. The survey showed that 70% of students said they struggled with mental health since starting college. But guess what? The survey also shows that 63% of those students never tried seeking help. To further try to understand the severity of this situation, I've taken the liberty to interview two current ASU students who fit perfectly within this problem. To protect their identity, these individuals will remain anonymous and will go by Mary Jane and Molly. You see what I did there? But before we get into the interview, we'll be taking a short break. See you in a minute. Want a break from the ads? If you tap now to watch a short video, you'll receive 30 minutes of ad-free music.