College and University Blog
College Students and Depression: It's More Common Than You Think
Depression, substance abuse, and eating disorders are increasingly common mental health issues on college campuses. Nearly half of all college students report feeling so depressed that they had trouble functioning with 15 percent meeting the criteria for clinical depression. If left untreated, depression can lead to suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college students. It is imperative for college students to seek help with mental health issues.
The National Mental Health Association quotes a study that says 30% of college freshmen report feeling overwhelmed a great deal of the time. College students are vulnerable to mental illnesses ranging from depression to anxiety disorders. The ages of 18-25 are the prime age for serious mental health conditions to emerge.
The symptoms of depression include:
- Persistent sad, anxious, irritable, and empty moods
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Significant appetite or weight changes
- Difficulty thinking, concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Feeling tired or run-down
- Feeling restless or agitated
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness, helplessness, or emptiness
- Persistent physical symptoms such as headaches or digestive problems that do not respond to treatment
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
- Suicide attempts
- Poor hygiene
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