Routledge - Trauma, Pedagogy, and the College Mental Health Crisis

In Trauma, Pedagogy, and the College Mental Health Crisis, Robert Samuels addresses the growing demand for mental health services in higher education. This book argues that psychoanalytic theory and practice provide a necessary solution to the current crisis facing students. By returning to the fundamental roots of psychoanalysis, Samuels explores how the repression of these theories has led to significant issues in student care. The text draws directly from the conceptions of hysteria and narcissism established by Freud and Lacan. It examines how the lack of psychoanalytic focus results in students being misdiagnosed and mistreated because the underlying structures of their experiences are misrecognized. This work offers a deep look into how shifting the training and focus of mental health professionals can change the way we support students in academic environments. It is a vital read for those studying the intersection of pedagogy, mental health, and psychoanalytic theory.