1 Mental Health in College Students
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes mental health as a state in which individuals recognize their own potential, navigate the stresses of life, contribute productively to work and community, and live fruitfully.
Focusing on college-aged students, mental health issues are prevalent. According to NCHA-ACHA III survey data, 31% of students reported receiving a mental health diagnosis or treatment in the previous year, with anxiety and depression being the most common.
*In the past year, students have reported:
- Feeling very sad (69%)
- Experiencing loneliness (65%)
- Overwhelming anxiety (63%)
- Engaging in self-injury (8%)
- Harboring serious suicidal thoughts (13%)
- Attempting suicide (2%)- The rise in reports of suicidal thoughts and attempts among students mirrors trends observed in the general U.S. population and this age group specifically.
These mental health challenges don’t exist in isolation; they significantly affect students’ academic performance and other areas of life. The National College Health Assessment highlights that stress, anxiety, and depression are among the top five psychosocial factors negatively impacting students’ academic outcomes.
Life inevitably presents challenges and conflicts, stressing that no one is exempt from experiencing. A crucial part of growing up is learning to confront and manage these issues—evaluating their severity, deciding on solutions, and understanding when to seek help. The support network of family, teachers, friends, advisors, coaches, and religious leaders plays a vital role in teaching us to navigate life’s challenges.
Resilience—the capacity to recover from adversity—is key. Our emotional responses, even painful ones, serve as indicators for recognizing and dealing with issues. While many problems can be addressed with the support of our community, certain situations necessitate professional assistance.
*These stats come from the national college health assessment. This is a survey of college and university students done twice each year by the American College Health Association. You can find more about their survey and many years of data here