Why is Depression a Prominent Issue Found Within College Students?
If you are a current college student, a recent graduate, a parent of a college student, or anyone willing to educate themselves, I will be discussing the factors of college life that may make it significantly more difficult for others than some. Everyone has different resilience levels, so you are NOT weaker than others because you struggled more. Many people also tend to hide their struggles and depression from others so you may be unaware, but it does not mean they also did not struggle with depression during college. I hope this can provide comfort, education, and understanding for those who read.
By: Eunice Ahn
What is depression? To be diagnosed with depression following the DSM-5 criteria, you must have at least five or more of the following symptoms for at least two weeks nearly every day: depressed mood for most of the day, diminished interest or pleasure in activities previously enjoyed for most of the day, significant weight change or drastic increase or decrease in appetite, insomnia or hypersomnia, increased restlessness or feeling of being slowed down, fatigue or loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, indecisiveness/difficulty concentrating, recurrent thoughts of death/suicidal ideation. In this blog, I will talk about the statistics regarding college students and depression, what may lead to depression and a couple of ways to cope with it, and ways parents or others may recognize and help someone they may believe to be struggling.
What are the Statistics?
A 2022 Healthy Minds Study found that college student's mental health has been on a steady decline since 2013. It was also found that Indian American and Alaskan Native students experienced the most increase in depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
In general, mental health is typically worse in ethnic/racial groups. In addition, students of color are less likely to access treatment as well. The college students most at risk and typically experience higher rates of both anxiety and depression are low-income students, students of color, female students, LGBTQIA+ students, and students who are caregivers for children or adults.
Another national survey by Healthy Minds and American College Health Association found that COVID caused more students to report academic and financial difficulties relating to mental health. In fact, according to a BestColleges survey, about 95% of college students experience this negative mental health outcome from the pandemic.
According to the National Association For Mental Illness, about 64% of college students drop out due to mental health disorders. It was also found that more than half of those who drop out of college tend to do so without using mental health services offered on campus.
More than 40% of college students ended up screened for depression in a 2021 Healthy Minds Study.
93% of students who experience anxiety and depression have not used the mental health services offered.
A study by the Jed Foundation found that 60% of college students have difficulty healthily coping with stress.
What Can Lead to Depression in College Students? What are some Coping Strategies?
According to Newport Institute, depression in college students was already becoming increasingly prevalent before COVID. With a very politically and economically intense divided society, climate change, systematic racism, and other societal factors leave many young adults slowly entering the real world hopeless for the future. Also, with the addition of COVID that made face-to-face interactions difficult for some time, college students report loneliness and isolation, difficulty concentrating, sleep deprivation, inconsistent eating patterns, alcohol and drug use, family troubles, and concerns about academic performance as the most significant stressors.
Many college students feel lonely and depressed because there is an abundance of responsibilities and pressure to achieve success placed upon the individual (much comparable to high school), finding new friends, deciding on your life career, etc. However, college students are usually not equipped with the necessary life skills to tackle this transition. As for social life, many college students struggle with finding their niche of people months into college (and possibly even longer for those who take gap semesters/years or transfer during COVID times). And even if you have the support of friends on campus, your friends from back home, and your family, many often still feel very lonely. In fact, about two-thirds of college students indicate that they feel left out, isolated from others, and lacked companionship at least some of the time. Academically and socially, there is immense pressure to push individuals to reach their full potential; however, in many cases, it can leave individuals feeling empty. To best describe the mindset of college students, they often "...[try] to take all these classes, so [they] seem impressive for grad school. [They try] to get all these internships, so [they] seem impressive to employers... but it was never centered around what they wanted necessarily, or what they needed as an individual." To juggle all these different responsibilities, college students lose a lot of sleep or feel too stressed thinking about what they have to do that they have trouble falling asleep.
Some Helpful Coping Strategies to Implement into Your Life As a College Student
Listed below are some of the most helpful and effective approaches that other students have reported using:
mindfulness (ex: yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises)
having a daily routine so that you are focused and on track
limited exposure to news and media
positive reframing- looking at things in a more positive light
taking breaks from coursework to do relaxing hobbies (ex: reading, drawing)
engage in positive social media interactions
play with pets
journaling about emotions and experiences
physical exercise- getting outdoors and connecting with nature
sleeping well- seven to nine hours a night, ideally
good nutrition/diet
using free counseling services offered by the university
listening to music
connect with family and friends
speak up about your mental health to others- study shows that few students actually judge other's who speak out about their mental health
tune into your emotions and let yourself feel what you feel
How Can You Help a College Student You Know Struggling as an Adult?
When interacting with young adults, guide them in setting a realistic view of educational achievements and what to expect. If possible, encourage college students to speak about their concerns and stressors. As this happens, be patient, calm, and empathetic but also direct in your communication. Don't forget to remind the young adult that many individuals (not even young adults) struggle with depression and anxiety, so they should not blame themselves and their "incompetency." More specifically, as a parent, you could slowly encourage your child to gain independence skills from a younger age. It is also essential for parents to encourage children to explore possible interests and their sense of self. This can be accomplished by setting unstructured time for your child. Remember updating your mentalmap takes effort, while it's possible. You are not alone. Share this blog with someone who could find it helpful. We encourage you to sign up for free weekly tips, tools, and strategies. Schedule a free consultation by clicking the link below if you need additional support.
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