2008 Woodie Awards
Depression Rates Rise Among Students
Savannah Stephen
Issue date: 10/7/05 Section: Life & Times
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The Kaplan College Guide published an article in August of last year reporting an increase in the number of college students who are depressed and/or suffer from another form of mental illness.
Mental health groups now estimate that more than 1,100 college students commit suicide every year, giving parents something else to worry about when sending their teens to college. In fact, the American Health Association conducted a survey in 2003, which reported more than 40 percent of students being "so depressed that it was difficult to function" at least one time during the year.
Even more alarming than the elevated rates of suicide and depression, is the apparent lack of response from colleges around the country. In fact, Harvard's student newspaper, the Crimson, published a five-part series in January 2004, that discussed the fact that "an overwhelming majority" of their undergraduate students experience mental-health problems. The report also stated that the university's lack of aid to this student population created "a pervasive mental-health crisis" on campus.
With mental-health becoming such an issue among college students, it has also become a topic of conversation among admissions offices around the United States. The Admissions Dean at MIT reports wanting to recruit "emotionally resilient" students to their university. She further states that kids who depend heavily on medication or might break under the pressure to be perfect are not meant for an institution such as MIT or other schools that are well-known for their difficulty.
Since an applicant's mental-health is under evaluation along with their SAT scores, many students do not reveal their history until after receiving their acceptance letter. However, inquiries from parents are starting to pour in about the quality of mental-health services available to their students on campus.
In an effort to further educate the student population about depression and suicide here at Rollins College, the Student Government Association has paired up with the Personal Counseling Center to bring Depression/Suicide Awareness Week to campus Oct. 3 - 6. This effort stemmed from legislation passed by the SGA Senate at the end of last year, concerned with the lack of attention focused on such a serious and important issue that is affecting so many students nationwide. It is important to educate others about how serious these conditions truly are.
Mental health groups now estimate that more than 1,100 college students commit suicide every year, giving parents something else to worry about when sending their teens to college. In fact, the American Health Association conducted a survey in 2003, which reported more than 40 percent of students being "so depressed that it was difficult to function" at least one time during the year.
Even more alarming than the elevated rates of suicide and depression, is the apparent lack of response from colleges around the country. In fact, Harvard's student newspaper, the Crimson, published a five-part series in January 2004, that discussed the fact that "an overwhelming majority" of their undergraduate students experience mental-health problems. The report also stated that the university's lack of aid to this student population created "a pervasive mental-health crisis" on campus.
With mental-health becoming such an issue among college students, it has also become a topic of conversation among admissions offices around the United States. The Admissions Dean at MIT reports wanting to recruit "emotionally resilient" students to their university. She further states that kids who depend heavily on medication or might break under the pressure to be perfect are not meant for an institution such as MIT or other schools that are well-known for their difficulty.
Since an applicant's mental-health is under evaluation along with their SAT scores, many students do not reveal their history until after receiving their acceptance letter. However, inquiries from parents are starting to pour in about the quality of mental-health services available to their students on campus.
In an effort to further educate the student population about depression and suicide here at Rollins College, the Student Government Association has paired up with the Personal Counseling Center to bring Depression/Suicide Awareness Week to campus Oct. 3 - 6. This effort stemmed from legislation passed by the SGA Senate at the end of last year, concerned with the lack of attention focused on such a serious and important issue that is affecting so many students nationwide. It is important to educate others about how serious these conditions truly are.