College Students & Depression Statistics

Getting an overall perspective of how depression affects college students is not difficult, Specific details and figures may vary, depending on the survey being cited. However, there is little disagreement among mental health professionals that depression is rising among college students. How to reach them is the dilemma, making an insightful analysis of statistical trends all the more important for counselors, psychologists and other mental health professionals.

Size

• Heavy school work-loads can make students more depression prone

  Dealing with academic, financial and relationship pressures can take a toll on college students as they adjust to adult responsibilities. These trends reflect themselves in many surveys, such as a May 2009 Associated Press-MTVu poll done through Edison Media Research. Nine percent of the participating students were deemed at risk of severe and moderate depression. More than 42 percent felt depressed for at least several days during the last few weeks.

Features

• Significantly, the Associated Press-MTVu poll revealed some other findings of concern among mental health professionals. Among those acknowledging moderate to severe depression, just over a quarter had been diagnosed with mental health problems, the poll found. Barely a third of this group, however, received any support or treatment from mental health professionals since starting college. Additionally, nearly half of the moderate group were unfamiliar with campus counseling resources.

Significance

• Viewed from a long-term perspective, students' anxiety and depression levels have risen significantly in recent years. According to the 2004 National Survey of Counseling Center Directors, 86 percent of them reported seeing a significant increase in students with severe psychological problems. In fact, the 18- to 24-year-old college age group is the average age of onset for many mental health conditions, "Psych Central" reported in August 2008.

Effects

• Interest in prescription medications is another telling indicator of depression among college students. In 2005, 92 percent of college counseling center directors saw more incoming students on psychiatric medications," Arts And Sciences" reported in its fall/winter 2005 issue. Mood stabilizers like Prozac--the most commonly prescribed campus drug--has allowed many students with serious mental health issues to attend college. Without support, however, coping with college life's unique pressures remains difficult for these students.

Considerations

• Reaching out to college students requires dealing with the major reason voiced for not seeking a mental health professional's help. Among students falling into this category, embarrassment emerged as the chief concern, according to a 2006 study cited in "Psych Centrals's article. Only 23 percent said they would feel comfortable with a friend knowing they were seeking help for emotional issues. As these results might suggest, college counseling services face a major challenge.