On top of these financial implications, there are also the looming mental and psychological effects that debt has on students’ mental health. Many students experience profound stress, anxiety and feelings related to shame when thinking about their financial situations related to school. In a 2021 survey, one in 14 student borrowers said they experienced suicidal ideation because of taxing debt situations.
I face a fundamental dilemma that’s disturbed me for nearly three years now: a constant struggle with disordered eating, particularly cycles of binging and purging.