College Mental Health by the Numbers
Mental health problems are a serious concern for college students across the country. Dr. Holly Betterly MD, Board-Certified Psychiatrist in Weston, FL, reviews key statistics to provide an overview of college mental health by the numbers.
This post is provided for educational purposes only, and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have questions, always reach out to your doctor for more information.
Struggling with your mental health? Reach out for professional support. Dr. Betterly is a board-certified psychiatrist in Weston, FL dedicated to helping you overcome depression, anxiety, and OCD. She offers appointments at her office in Weston, FL, conveniently located in Weston Town Center, as well as via telehealth for patients across Florida. Request an appointment today to start your journey to better mental health.
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The Link Between Young Adulthood and Mental Health Challenges
When college students set foot on campus for the first time, they’re often navigating not just the transition to college, but the transition to young adulthood. Many students enroll directly after high school, embarking on their college journeys around the age of eighteen. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, over 90% of full time undergraduate students are under the age of twenty five.
These young adult years are often filled with new beginnings- and new challenges. Some of these challenges, like moving out of mom and dad’s house, may be long-awaited and highly anticipated. Others may be totally unexpected, coming as a not-so-welcome surprise. For many people, young adulthood is the time period during which mental health conditions begin to present themselves for the first time.
Mental Health Conditions With Onset During Young Adulthood
A recent study from Molecular Psychiatry examined the median age of onset for various different mental health conditions. Many common mental health conditions tend to emerge during young adulthood, including:
Anxiety Disorders: 17 years old
Eating Disorders, such as Anorexia and Bulimia: 18 years old
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): 19 years old
Schizophrenia: 25 years old
Panic Disorder: 26 years old
As we can see, there’s a significant amount of overlap between the age of a typical college student and the age of onset for many common psychiatric disorders. As such, it’s not uncommon for college students to begin to experience mental health symptoms for the first time while they’re away at school.
While there is never a great time for psychiatric conditions to pop up, the college years can be a particularly difficult time period to be faced with mental health challenges. Many students are adjusting to living on their own in an unfamiliar environment, far away from their support systems back home. The addition of so many new stressors at once can overwhelm existing coping skills and may ultimately trigger a mental health crisis.
Mental Health Triggers in College Students
Stress
How common is stress among college students?
The transition to life on campus can be a big adjustment, and the rest of the college is usually no cakewalk either. Data from the American College Health Association (ACHA) shows that college students are unfortunately no strangers to stress.
Over 75% of college students reported experiencing either a moderate or severe level of stress
Over 20% of college students screened positive for experiencing severe psychological distress
When it comes to our mental health, stress can have serious consequences, triggering new symptoms to emerge, existing symptoms to worsen, or old symptoms to return.
What are some common stressors faced by college students?
Academic
Challenging coursework
Heavy courseload
Pressure to succeed
Self-directed learning/ less structure
Time management
Finding a study routine
Group projects
Final exam stress
Deciding on a career path
Applying to graduate or professional school
Finding an internship
Applying to jobs
Social
Roommate troubles
Falling out with friends
Exploring romantic relationships
Family dynamics/ pressure
Homesickness
Lack of a support system
Finances
Rising tuition costs
Student loans/debt
Managing finances independently
Balancing school with a part-time job or work-study position
Alcohol and drug use
Sexual harassment/ Sexual assault
Bullying
Identity Issues
Substance Use
The college years can be a time for experimentation, and this often includes drugs and alcohol.
In the face of overwhelming stressors, students may find themselves turning to substances in an attempt to “self medicate”. Substance use can have serious long term consequences, not just for our physical health, but also our mental health.
Which substances are most common on college campuses?
A survey from ACHA asked students whether they had used various substances within the last three months. Here’s some of the results:
Alcohol- 66% of students
Marijuana-30% of students
Prescription Stimulants (not prescribed)- 3% of students
Cocaine- 2% of students
Alcohol carries a significant risk for dependence, and can also cause symptoms of depression. It lowers our inhibitions and increases our impulsivity, which raises our risk for suicide and self-harm. Data from ACHA indicates that of students who drank alcohol in the last 12 months, 2.6% seriously considered suicide while drinking.
Marijuana is especially common among college students, and can cause difficulties with focus and concentration, which may interfere with schoolwork. It may also cause or worsen anxiety. For those who are predisposed, marijuana has the potential to trigger symptoms of psychosis.
Stimulants, including cocaine and the medications used to treat ADHD, are another extremely common find on college campuses. In fact, the most commonly used psychoactive substance worldwide is also a stimulant- and there’s a good chance you consumed some of it this morning in your cup of coffee! College students love caffeine, with coffee and energy drinks providing fuel for late-night study sessions. Just like all stimulants, caffeine carries some mental health risks. Stimulants can cause anxiety, jitteriness, and psychosis. For those with bipolar disorder, stimulants can also trigger mania.
Poor Sleep Hygiene
Let’s take a look at some sleep data from ACHA:
Over 75% of college students felt sleepy or tired during the day for 3 or more days out of the past week
About 17% reported that during the past week, there were no days in which they got enough sleep and felt well rested
Students often find themselves with jam-packed schedules, trying to juggle classes, extracurricular activities, and a busy social calendar. It’s not uncommon for sleep hygiene to fall by the wayside in favor of a last-minute cram session or a big party. Unfortunately, when we’re sleep deprived, our cognitive functioning takes a hit. Poor sleep can impact not just our academic performance, but our overall mental health.
Most Common Mental Health Conditions in College Students
Which mental health conditions are most common in college students?
According to survey data from ACHA, around 46% of college students reported that they had been diagnosed with a mental health condition at some point in their life.
The rates for specific conditions included:
Anxiety Disorders- 35%
Depression- 28%
ADHD- 13%
Eating Disorders- 7%
PTSD- 8%
OCD- 7%
Curious about how these rates compare to the general population? Check out Dr. Betterly’s article on the most common mental health conditions.
How many young adults are impacted by mental health conditions each year?
According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), as many as 1 in 3 young adults (ages 18 to 25) are impacted by a mental health condition each year.
The National Comorbidity Survey indicates that during a given year:
Over 18% of young adults were impacted by Major Depressive Episodes
Over 22% of young adults were impacted by Anxiety Disorders
Young adults had the highest prevalence of Major Depressive Episodes of any age group
What are the top concerns among college students seeking counseling?
Data from the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH) shows that among students presenting for treatment at college counseling centers, the top concerns included:
Stress
Academic Performance
Relationship Problems
Mental Health Treatment in College
What percent of college students receive mental health treatment?
According to a survey conducted by ACHA, around 38% of college students reported receiving psychological or mental health services during the past year.
About two in three college students with past diagnoses of depression and anxiety reported accessing treatment within the past year.
What does mental health treatment involve?
When it comes to mental health treatment, there is no “one size fits all”. Each mental health condition is different, as is each individual patient. Mental health professionals tailor their treatment plans to the unique needs and preferences of their patient. With that said, common mental health treatments may include talk therapy, prescription medications, and lifestyle changes.
Where do college students receive mental health treatment?
College students have many different options to choose from for receiving mental health treatment. According to data from ACHA, among college students who reported receiving mental health treatment:
46% saw a provider back home
39% saw an on-campus provider
20% saw a provider in the community near campus
How do I find treatment for mental health?
For more in-depth info, check out Dr. Betterly’s guide to finding mental health treatment as a college student. We’ll provide the highlights below!
On-Campus Resources
Many colleges and universities provide easy access to mental health treatment through a Student Counseling Center or Student Health Services. These services are often covered by the school’s tuition and fees, which means that students may be able to access these services at no additional cost.
More information about these services can often be found on the schools’ website, or through a quick Google search.
Off-Campus Resources
For some students, on-campus mental health treatment may not be an option. Perhaps their school doesn’t provide on-campus services, or are only able to provide services for a short period of time. Some students may simply prefer not to receive their mental health care through their school.
Another great option for accessing mental health treatment is by finding a local psychiatrist or psychologist out in the community. Many mental health professionals offer telehealth appointments, allowing students to receive care from the comfort of their dorm.
If you are considering prescription medications for your mental health, a psychiatrist is your best bet. Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MD or DO) who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. They are experts in prescribing psychiatric medications.
To locate a psychiatrist near you, check out the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) free online directory.
If you’re interested in talk therapy, psychologists are a great option. Psychologists are mental health professionals who have typically earned a doctoral degree, such as a PsyD or PhD, and specialize in the evaluation and treatment of mental health conditions.
To locate a psychologist near you, check out the American Psychological Association’s (APA) free online directory.
Located in Florida? Dr. Holly Betterly is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist with experience working with college students at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree levels. She specializes in treating depression, anxiety, and OCD. She offers telehealth appointments for patients across Florida, helping her patients to access high-quality care from the comfort of their couch. Request an appointment to start your journey to better mental health.
