MENTAL HEALTH
and the Health and Wellness of College Students
HOW DOES MENTAL HEALTH AFFECT COLLEGE STUDENTS?
WHAT CONTRIBUTES TO MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN COLLEGE STUDENTS
HOW COMMON ARE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN COLLEGE STUDENTS?
MENTAL HEALTH IN COLLEGE STUDENTS
MENTAL HEALTH CAN GREATLY AFFECT THE LIVES OF COLLEGE STUDENTS
Mental health problems can affect many areas of student' lives, reducing their quality of life, academic achievement, physical health, and satisfaction with the college experience, and negatively impacting relationships with friends and family members. These issues can also have long-term consequences for students, affecting their future employment, earning potential, and overall health.
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN COLLEGE STUDENTS
Academic pressure, day-to-day stressors, and family concerns are just a small number of the common issues contributing to the decline in mental health among students. Mental health problems are prevalent among college students, along with substance use, anxiety, and depression.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Just how common are mental health issues in college students? Very common? 1 in 4 young adults between 18-24 have a diagnosable mental illness. More than 25% of college students have been diagnosed or treated by a professional for a mental health condition within the past year. More than 11% of college students have been diagnosed or treated for anxiety in the past year, and more than 10% report being diagnosed or treated for depression. These numbers are staggering, but show that we are not alone!
THE TOP 3 MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS COLLEGE STUDENTS FACE
Anxiety, Depression, Addiction
ANXIETY
Symptoms to be Aware of According to BestColleges.com
Feelings of stress and apprehension
Irritability
Trouble concentrating
Fearfulness
Sweating and dizziness
Shortness of breath
Irregular heartbeat
Muscle pain and tension
Headaches
Frequent upset stomach or diarrhea
DEPRESSION
Symptoms to be Aware of According to BestColleges.com
Changes in sleep habits
Sadness
Feelings of being overwhelmed
Feelings of hopelessness
Feelings of powerlessness
Seeing a glass "half empty"
Having trouble concentrating and paying attention
Difficulty reading and completing work tasks
ADDICTION
Symptoms to be Aware of According to BestColleges.com
Slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, or impaired coordination
Fear, anxiety, or paranoia for no reason
Prone to suspicious behaviors- frequently gets into fights or trouble with the law
A sudden need for money or a financial crisis
Build tolerance for alcohol and drug use
Deterioration of physical appearance
A sudden change in friends, activities, or hobbies
REFERENCES
Eisenberg, D., Gollust, S. E., Golberstein, E., & Hefner, J. L. (2007). Prevalence and correlates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality among university students. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 77(4), 534–542.
Pedrelli, P., Nyer, M., Yeung, A., Zulauf, C., & Wilens, T. (2014). College students: Mental health problems and treatment considerations. Academic Psychiatry, 39(5), 503–511. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-014-0205-9Â
The top mental health challenges facing students: Bestcolleges. BestColleges.com. (2021, July 27).
https://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/top-5-mental-health-problems-facing-college-students/.
Zhang, Y., Zhang, H., Ma, X., & Di, Q. (2020). Mental Health Problems during the COVID-19 Pandemics and the Mitigation Effects of Exercise: A Longitudinal Study of College Students in China. 17(10), 3722. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103722