Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Statistics You Should Know About College Depression

Since it is going back-to-school season, I thought I'd educate you on some alarming statistics about depression among college students. Here are the facts, just the facts:

* One out of every five young people and one out of ever four college students or adults suffers from some form of diagnosable mental illness.

* About 19 precent of young people contemplate or attempt suicide each year.

* Suicide is the third leading cause of death among people ages 15-24, and the second leading cause of death in college students ages 20-24.

* Over 66 percent of young people with a substance use disorder have a co-occurring mental health problem.

* Teens diagnosed with depression are five times more likely to attempt suicide than adults.
* Over two-thirds of young people do not talk about or seek help for mental health problems.

* 44 percent of American college students reported feeling symptoms of depression.

* From 1980 to 1986, the suicide rate for African-American males ages 15-19 increased more than 100 percent.

* Four out of every five young people that contemplate or attempt suicide exhibit clear warning signs.

* 80-90 percent of people that seek the necessary form of mental health treatment can function the way they used to.

* Stereotypes are one of the largest barriers preventing young people from seeking the help they need.

* An estimated 5 million young females suffer from eating disorders each year, and eating disorders are the deadliest mental illness, claiming more lives than any other illness

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