Question 1

What percent of college students have a mental illness?

Accepted Answer

A recent survey by the American Psychology Association (APA) estimates about 1 in every 3 college freshmen will have a mental health disorder. A 2016 study reported that 39% of students were struggling with at least one mental illness. The APA ranks anxiety as the top mental health concern among college students at 42%, followed by relationship issues at 36% and depression at 37% percent.

Question 2

How does college affect mental health?

Accepted Answer

College life can exert a lot of pressure on the student, leading to myriads of mental health issues. According to the American Psychological Association, mental health conditions such as depression in college students are linked to lower grades points, threats of dropping out of school, relationship problems, and anxiety from peer pressure.

Several students report that mental health issues interfere with their studies. Some of the prevalent mental health issues that affect college students include stress, anxiety, sleep difficulties, and depression.

Question 3

How can college students improve mental health?

Accepted Answer

College students can improve their mental health by recognizing the warning signs of anxiety, depression, and burnout, and seeking support when they need it. Most colleges and universities have mental health resources that are underutilized by their student populations like counseling, support groups, and information about seeking outside help. Often, these resources are available to students at no extra cost, but there is sometimes a stigma attached to seeking help.

College students need to speak up about mental health issues, encourage their friends and peers to find help for problems like stress and anxiety, and bring up issues with the faculty and staff of the institution to work for positive changes across campuses. While turning to drugs to improve school performance or unwind after a difficult day can be tempting, they only provide temporary relief and can exacerbate mental illness in the long run.

Question 4

How does anxiety affect college students?

Accepted Answer

Nearly three-fourths of college students have reported feeling "overwhelming anxiety" during their college enrollment. Often, college students are trying to balance demanding classes, internships, social engagements, and part-time or even full-time employment.

Add to this the stress of finances, with many students owning thousands in debt, and you have a recipe for extreme anxiety. Most college students understand that their performance in school will have a long-term impact on their lives and careers, so doing poorly is not an option, and this can lead to them putting undue pressure on themselves.

And many of these students face greater independence and social pressures than they ever did before in their lives. This pressure can lead them to turn to alcohol or other illicit substances, some of which are widely available on college campuses around the country. Drug use is more common among those diagnosed with mental illnesses like anxiety, and suicide among college students is on the rise.

Question 5

Can school stress cause mental illness?

Accepted Answer

Stress from school can absolutely cause mental illness in a student, especially if they are predisposed to mental illness due to other factors. A student who has a genetic predisposition to anxiety or depression may be more affected by certain stressors than one who isn't.

Many underlying mental illnesses come to the surface during the teen or young adult years, and exposure to high levels of stress can be the catalyst. Failing a class, struggling with assignments, or conflicts with a teacher or professor can all be sources of stress.

School stress and mental illness can exacerbate each other, as mental illness can negatively impact school performance. When a student isn't performing well at school, they will likely experience even more stress and anxiety.

They may find it difficult to concentrate in class, study texts, or do well on tests or assignments, and may not even feel motivated to attend class or participate. This can be a difficult-to-break cycle that can lead to burnout or more severe health issues.

Question 6

What is causing the college student mental health crisis?

Accepted Answer

There are several causes of the college student mental health crisis. Living in a new environment, feeling unprepared for the rigor of college-level courses, pulling all-nighters to study for an exam or finish a paper, having to juggle a job to pay for living expenses, experiencing homesickness or loneliness, binge-drinking—each of these individually can be problematic. Combined, they create the perfect storm for a mental health crisis on college campuses.

Research suggests another reason for the college student mental health crisis is simply that the age at which many mental disorders manifest is between 18 and 24, which aligns with the ages of most students in college

According to a Psychology Today article, these less obvious reasons could also be contributing to the problem:

Sexual abuse. Students who have been sexually abused in the past deal with lingering bad memories and self-esteem issues that often lead to mental health concerns if not treated.
Information overload. The rapid evolution of technology, information overload, and an environmental mismatch can overwhelm the student's mind. The last few years have seen an unprecedented acceleration of technology and social change that has altered the social fabric and how people relate.

What percent of college students have a mental illness?

Related questions about college mental health

Life is complicated. Finding a therapist shouldn’t be.

Newsletter signup

Get inspiration straight to your inbox.