Lack of Access to Healthcare in Earlier Chapters of Life Carries Over Into College

Connor Smith was a freshman in high school when his family lost their health insurance. By junior year, his mental health had deteriorated. Due to his family’s inability to pay for health services, he began to self-medicate using Xanax purchased off the black market.

At the time, he thought this was his only realistic option. When he came to college, Smith continued without health insurance for more than two years.