Chelsea Notton

April 18th, 2017

Persuasive Speech
Outline
Purpose: To persuade audience to understand the importance to have resources on campus for
people with mental illnesses.
Thesis: Mental illness on college campus is at a startling number and there needs to be more
resources on college campuses for people to get help.

Organizational Pattern: Importance Importance

I. Attention
A. Attention-Getter: According to Emory University, there are more than 1,000 deaths per
year on college campus.
B. Credibility: I have researched many sources about the startling numbers of mental illness on
campuses across the United States for months, and I personally have had to deal with some of
these issues.
C. Relevance: Across the United States there are many college students that deal with mental
illnesses everyday just with the stress life and school brings them.
D. Introduce Topic/Preview Main Points: After extensive research, I will share with you today
why we need to increase resources for college students to get the help they need, and how you
can make a difference.

II. Facts
A. According to USA Today College
1. One in every 12 U.S. College students makes a suicide plan
2. 49.5% students reported feeling hopeless in the past year
3. 60.5% of students reported feeling lonely which is a common indicator of depression - in
the past year
4. of students whose are struggling do not seek treatment
5. It is the #2 leading case of death among those ages 15-34
B. According to American Psychological Association
1. Depression and anxiety are the most common mental disorders treated at college
counseling centers
III. Visualization
1. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ur8TZf6HWSs
2. This video shows a college student and his struggles with major depression
3. Play from 1:04 to 1:55

IV. What it is like on college campuses

 1. According the the University of Northern Iowas health centers website
a. It is open from 8am to 5pm on weekdays
b. If students take 5 or more credit hours during the fall or spring or 3 or more credit
hours during the summer, they can use the health center for free
c. They do not give any of your information out including to your parents
d. If you see a psychiatrist, you will be charged on your UBill
2. Other campuses
a. College campuses normally have mental illness free for college students
b. They all differ from the hours they are open to what physicians they have
V. What needs to happen
1. There needs to be more resources on campus for people that need it
a. There could be more times where people could go into the health center
i. I could only schedule an appointment on Wednesdays
b. Later hours where there is a doctor on staff
c. Have a 24 hour program where there is a trained employee/volunteer on staff
d. There needs to be weekend options
VI. Action
1. What can you do?
a. Get involved on campus organizations
b. Participate in walks like Out of Darkness
c. Raise concerns to your college
VII. Conclusion
1. I hope that I was able to show you a major problem on college campuses, and I hope you
will take action to help stop this problem.

http://www.emorycaresforyou.emory.edu/resources/suicidestatistics.html
http://college.usatoday.com/2016/01/30/mental-health-by-the-numbers/
http://www.apa.org/about/gr/education/news/2011/college-campuses.aspx
https://health.uni.edu/clinic-information