Examining the Mental Health Needs of Postsecondary Students with Child-maltreatment Histories Seeking Campus Counseling Services

This study sought to provide a more nuanced understanding of the significant issues experienced by young adult survivors of child-maltreatment prior to seeking counseling services. In our sample of post-secondary students seeking counseling services, child-maltreatment histories were significantly associated with higher frequencies of non-suicidal self-injury, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt. Further, results indicated that survivors of child-maltreatment were more likely to report scores that were considered “elevated” when compared to peers with no reported child-maltreatment history. Implications for college counseling centers and college mental health providers are discussed.