29 Wilderness Rd.

Enid, OK 73703
+1(580)-747-4302
jack.snodgrass@tcu.edu
June 15, 2017

Donald Trump
US President
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

One of the most prevalent issues for students of higher academic institutions in the nation is danger of
stress and mental illness. According to the American Psychological Association, Anxiety is the top
presenting concern among college students, followed by depression [at 41.6% and 36.4% respectively.
Increased pressure from external sources such as grades and classes, relationships, and separation from
family significantly increases psychological stressors. Steps have been made in the past to help and
inform those entering the realm of higher education with a predisposition to mental health conditions, but
when an APA study is done that reveals that ninety-five percent of counseling centers are reporting an
annual increase in the number of students with significant psychological issues new and improved
measures must be taken to combat this. Have you thought about the possibility of a renovation to the
programs already established by the United States government for students? If you have not already, then
I would urge you to do so soon, as these issues affect even more than those that are documented and
persist through statistical analysis.

According the American College Health Association, [S]uicide is currently the second most common
cause of death among college students this is an alarming statistic. This means that presumably more
college kids are outright taking their own lives than that of either car accidents, binge drinking, drug
overdose, or violent crime. Death is a sad thing, but being driven to believe that their is no other option
than to become your own grim reaper is harrowing.

Previously, the United States government has tried to reach out to those at risk for and suffering from
mental health conditions through associations and programs such as SAMHSA and AWARE. However,
students in college are at a greater risk due to simple biological factors. According to SAMSHA, as half
of all lifetime mental health disorders start by the mid-teen years and three quarters begin by the mid-
Donald Trump
June 15, 2017
Page 3

twenties, which places students transitioning into college life in a perfect storm. The increased stress
from the turbulent process of transitioning to adult life added to a preexisting mental condition is to often
cause for massive psychological problems. While providing funding and certain suggested guidelines for
universities to follow for the identification and subsequent assistance to individuals who meet the
necessary criteria is an amicable start, there must be something more done to inform those individuals
directly. Oftentimes, universities will include a portion strictly dedicated to self awareness and assessment
of mental health for student in certain enrollment programs. Orientation programs are a great way to start
the conversation about these pressing issues, but I implore that these programs start being lengthened to
continue the discussion past the initial orientation into the freshman year, possibly as a part of a
government mandated program.

If a program that forces direct and continuous outreach to students is too time consuming or costs too
much, then I would ask that you look into educating the faculty and administration extensively on this
topic. Data gathered by the National Society of Mental Illness shows that, Only 7% of parents reported
their college students as experiencing mental health issues. Because students no longer have the safety
net of their families behind them everyday, they often confide in their substitute authority figures. This
means that faculty members need to be prepared properly to field questions of sensitive nature and to
encourage students to seek help through proper channels.

My whole life I have been surrounded by people tortured by mental conditions. I have experienced first
hand just truly how terrifying it can be to see someone torn apart from the inside by their own demons. I
cannot imagine what it is like to wake up everyday and to look in the mirror and see someone I hated
staring back. It is a truly terrifying thought to be your own enemy, yet people go through life never having
felt otherwise. I attend Texas Christian University and they pride themselves on their ability to properly
educate their university body in these subjects. However, in the last year I had to drive my classmate and
friend to a hospital because he shattered his own skull on a bathroom locker over one B on a Static
Mechanics test. I had no idea that this would happen. I did not see it coming. After all, James was a
seemingly happy kid. He was always the life of any conversation. I wish I would have had a more
extensive exposure to this type of issue and how to handle it. It might have meant the difference. I might
have been able to save James from himself.

Mr. President, I sincerely hope that I have persuaded you to take even the slightest action in this battle. It
is a silent war, sir. Worn not on the sleeves of individuals, but rather played out in the battleground of the
mind. There are many more out there exactly like James, and if we act soon and as a unified whole, then
there may still be time to spare those his same fate.

Sincerely,

Jack Snodgrass
Donald Trump
June 15, 2017
Page 3

Works Cited

"College students mental health is a growing concern, survey finds." American Psychological Association.

American Psychological Association, 2017. Web. 16 June 2017.

<http://www.apa.org/monitor/2013/06/college-students.aspx>.

Henriques, Gregg. "The College Student Mental Health Crisis." Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers, 15

Feb. 2014. Web. 16 June 2017. <https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/theory-

knowledge/201402/the-college-student-mental-health-crisis>.

"SAMHSA's Efforts in Schools and on College Campuses." SAMHSA. Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Services Administration, 09 Aug. 2016. Web. 15 June 2017. <https://www.samhsa.gov/school-

campus-health/samhsas-efforts>.