Monday, December 13, 2021
Written by
Sarah Henry,
Steph Beecher, MA

A common memory shared by those remembering their early 20’s or time in college is of “living off of ramen noodles” or a similarly low-cost food item. While the sight of those food items may invoke some nostalgia for memories from earlier adulthood, the impact of struggling to meet basic needs is significant among today’s college students, especially upon mental health. 

Basic needs go beyond being able to afford food; they’re defined by the Hope Center as including  a student’s “access to nutritious and sufficient food; safe, secure, and adequate housing—to sleep, to study, to cook, and to shower; healthcare to promote sustained mental and physical well-being; affordable technology and transportation; resources for personal hygiene; and childcare and related needs.”

The impact from struggling to secure basic needs is more significant than coping with everyday stressors. “For college students, food and housing insecurity are strongly related to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, suicidal ideation, and other mental health issues,” according to the Hope Center.

University of Iowa students are among those struggling to meet basic needs. The National College Health Survey, administered to more than 800 UI undergraduate students in spring 2021, shows 32% of students were unable to afford to eat balanced meals, 22% cut the size of or skipped meals, and 9% reported going hungry in the last 30 days. The UI’s Food Pantry had more than 700 unique visitors in 2020-2021, with individuals averaging seven visits and 21 pounds of food distributed per visit.

The pandemic has made the pre-existing issue of food insecurity more prevalent. One study from BioMed Public Health found becoming food insecure during the pandemic was highly associated with mental health problems related to anxiety and depression, so much so that the effect of food insecurity is three times that of the effect of losing a job during the pandemic.

While basic needs insecurity has affected students overall, it’s crucial to recognize and address how differently it has affected students from underserved backgrounds and identities. The Hope Center’s 2021 report showed significant disparities, including:

  • Students of color (specifically Black, Hispanic or Latinx, Middle Eastern, Arab or Arab American, Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Indigenous, or other non-white students) were more likely to experience basic needs insecurity compared to their white peers.
  • LGBTQ+ students reported higher rates of basic needs insecurity.
  • First generation students, Pell Grant recipients, and part-time students were more likely to encounter basic needs insecurity compared to their peers.

While the crisis of basic needs insecurity is present on our campus, steps can be taken to support students. 

  • Address stigma: A negative stigma often is associated with utilizing basic needs services, experiencing basic needs insecurity, or even just talking about money. It’s important to remember that basic needs insecurity is a structural issue, not an individual characteristic or shortcoming. People face basic needs insecurity when the “ecosystem” of support is not in place, not because of a personal decision or action. One way address the stigma is by acknowledging the prevalence of the issue in your classes or interactions with students. Consider including information in your student employee onboarding or adding the basic needs statement to your syllabus.
  • Access resources: The Hope Center explains that attaining basic needs security means there is an “ecosystem in place to ensure that students’ basic needs are met.” At the UI, several resources are available to help students establish this ecosystem. Take the time to learn about the resources so you are able to confidently speak about them and encourage students to utilize them. Some examples include:
  • Contribute to existing resources:
    • Donate to the Food Pantry, Clothing Closet, and Student Life Emergency Fund
    • Volunteer at the Food Pantry
    • Support students and staff who operate these programs
    • Share information about these resources and programs with people you know—encourage your communities to be educated and open-minded about what it means to utilize basic needs resources
    • Encourage your department or unit to partner with the Food Pantry or Clothing Closet. There are unlimited ways to engage and Student Care and Assistance can collaborate to help you determine this.
    • Support initiatives and policies that reduce barriers for basic needs insecurity. Consider having your department/unit review and amend your own policies and practices to see how they may support or cause additional barriers to success for students struggling with basic needs insecurity.

If you’re unsure where to start or how to support a student, please contact Student Care and Assistance.