Many people have a vague idea of the mental health of students, but what are the factors that can improve it? For example, there are ways to reduce the likelihood of depression among students. A survey of students has found that the most common problem was social isolation. Nearly 30% of spontaneous reports included descriptions of low motivation, hopelessness, and pronounced depressive mood. In addition, 75% of respondents attributed their reduced well-being to social isolation. Discover more about the topic on this mental health article.
Unfortunately, a string of recent tragedies has brought the issue to the public's attention. A murder-suicide at Harvard University raised awareness of the issue, as did an MIT freshman who died of alcohol poisoning. A similar pattern was seen at Michigan State University, which had six student suicides in three months. In addition, a growing number of students are reporting mental health issues, including substance abuse, eating disorders, and problems adapting to college life.
A study conducted found that over three-quarters of college students reported a higher level of anxiety or depression than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic. The study's authors noted that the impact of anxiety on students during the COVID-19 pandemic was similar in other countries, with only minor variations among countries. But one important factor to keep in mind is that stress is one of the primary factors in the development of depression.
According to the same study, depression rates were higher among students in low and middle-income countries than in high-income ones. However, a higher proportion of students in lower-income countries showed a higher risk of depression than in middle-income countries. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve the mental health of students in higher-income countries. If a study is to be truly helpful, it should include the demographics of low-income countries. You can see this source to find the best mental health solutions. Another factor that contributes to low mental health rates in college students is the lack of mental health services. According to the Fall 2020 survey, many students with psychiatric conditions do not receive the appropriate treatment. The findings point to a significant "treatment gap" among students. While this may be attributed to the impact of social media on society, a greater number of students who screen positive are not receiving the appropriate services. Whether it is due to a pandemic or to changing societal values, mental health issues are an issue that needs to be addressed. When students display warning signs of depression, it is advisable to seek help from mental health experts. Oftentimes, students downplay their problems and stay quiet because of insecurity or embarrassment. Peers may mistake these symptoms for a depression and misdiagnose the problem. It is crucial to seek help if the student is showing signs of depression or suicidal thoughts. This will prevent the situation from worsening. Although the findings of these studies suggest a link between poverty and poor mental health, they do not show any direct relation. Low socioeconomic status and poor academic performance were positively correlated with depression, while women were more likely to report stress and anxiety symptoms than men. These findings indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic may have a large impact on students' mental health. They are also worth highlighting that students in rural areas may not have access to mental health services. Get more informed about psychiatry on this website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychiatry.
