health sectionhealth section
Getting an overall perspective of how depression affects college students is not difficult, Specific details and figures may vary, depending on the survey being cited. However, there is little disagreement among mental health professionals that depression is rising among college students. How to reach them is the dilemma, making an insightful analysis of statistical trends all the more important for counselors, psychologists and other mental health professionals.
Depression is a serious issue no matter who it affects because it can lead to other health and mental problems, and even suicide. When college kids suffer from depression, there are even more components thrown into the mix. Many of them are living away from home for the first time and do not have the support system of the family. Others are concerned with getting high grades or finding a job immediately after graduation.
According to the National College Depression Partnership (NCDP), in a population of 18 million college students, around 2.35 million may deal with serious depression while attending college. The proportion of college students with clinical depression rose from 10 percent in 2000 to 16 percent in 2005, notes the NCDP.
Gifted students, especially those attending schools that do not offer special classes for them, are at risk for depression because of feelings of being different from the majority of students.
As of 2009 the incidence of depression in students, especially college students, has reached proportions where it is now considered an epidemic. According to psychiatrist Richard Kadison, chief of mental health services at Harvard University, out of every five students under the age of 24, one will be diagnosed with serious depression. Dr. John Greden, executive director of the U-M Depression Center, states that the onset of depressive illness peaks during the ages of 15 to 19 and estimates that 15 percent of college students struggle with some form of depressive illness.
Depression is a more serious condition than just feeling sad or down all the time. In fact, depressed students can take drastic measures that might threaten either their own safety or the safety of others, so it's important not to ignore the problem; instead, you should be aware of the warning signs so that you can help the student get appropriate treatment.
