| College
Mental Health
 Across the country, students are preparing to start or return to college. This is an exciting time, though for some it’s overwhelming and stressful. Depression, substance use and eating disorders are increasingly common mental health issues on college campuses. According to an American College Health Association survey, the rate of students reporting ever being diagnosed with depression has increased 56 percent in the last six years, from 10 percent in spring 2000 to 16 percent in spring 2005.
“We are seeing more students coming to college with mental health issues,” said Jerald Kay, M.D., chair of the American Psychiatric Association’s Corresponding Committee on Mental Health on College and University Campuses. “Tragedies like at Virginia Tech only amplify the importance of the availability of mental health services on college campuses. It is important for college-age students to seek care so they can have a healthy mind and lead a healthy life.”
APA would like to offer information to help college students understand issues around alcohol abuse and maintain good mental health.
College Students and Alcohol Abuse Statistics
College Mental Health Fact Sheet: Depression
Disasters: Mental Health Recommendations for Students and Colleges
College Students Alcohol Abuse
For most students, college is a time of learning and growth. It is also a time for making new friends and enjoying the social atmosphere that thrives on campuses. But for some college students, partying and drinking can present a real threat to their academic careers and their overall health and well-being. Pressure to participate in binge drinking, drinking large quantities of alcohol most nights during the week, and drinking to feel like the part of the crowd, are all common occurrences.
Did you know…
Approximately 1,700 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die each year from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle crashes.
More than 97,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape.
About 25 percent of college students report academic consequences of their drinking including missing class, falling behind, doing poorly on exams or papers, and receiving lower grades overall.
A recent study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, warns that college partying has become more extreme with students binge drinking and abusing prescription drugs more frequently. Read full story...
The American Psychiatric Foundation/APA has produced “Father/Son,” a 30-second public service announcement to raise awareness about suicide. Watch “Father/Son”, (Windows player) or (Quicktime)
Links:
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
The Jed Foundation
Screening for Mental Health: College Response
Active Minds on Campus
American College Health Association
Columbia University's TeenScreen Program
American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
American Society of Addiction Medicine
Children and Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Mental Health America
National Institute of Mental Health
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
GotAnxiety.org
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
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