Top 5 Mental Health Challenges Facing College Students and How to Get Help

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255), available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are confidential, and anyone can use this service.

Mental health experts and researchers often use terms like “epidemic” and “crisis” to describe the mental health challenges many U.S. college students face these days.

In the Fall 2021 National College Health Assessment, about 30% of student respondents said anxiety negatively affected their academic performance. Furthermore, just over 1 in 5 students reported having been diagnosed with depression by a healthcare professional.

Mood disturbances represent just some of the mental health conditions many college students have. Other common challenges include suicide and suicidal ideation, eating disorders, and substance misuse.

This guide introduces the top five mental health challenges facing college students today, with advice on how to identify potential conditions and get support.

Depression is a mood disorder that involves persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities.

People going through a depressive episode may experience mood swings, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, and headaches and/or body pains with no apparent physical cause.

In the 2021 Healthy Minds Study, 22% of college students screened positive for major depression, and 41% screened positive for depression overall. This makes depression one of the most common mental health conditions among U.S. college students.

Symptoms of depression can vary depending on the person. The way one person exhibits signs of depression is not necessarily the same way symptoms may emerge in someone else.

According to the American Psychological Association, symptoms of depression can include:

Displaying some of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you’re depressed. However, if you begin to experience these symptoms with some regularity, you should consider seeking professional help.

Everyone has off days when they feel overwhelmed or down about life. But when these days become weeks and simply getting out of bed becomes a struggle, such symptoms become cause for concern.

Here are some signs of depression to look for in peers, friends, and loved ones:

Words of encouragement can show that person you’re a source of support. However, avoid telling someone to “cheer up” or “snap out of it.” Many people experiencing depression are aware of their condition, and telling them to get over it is not helpful.

If you believe someone you know is at risk, gently encourage them to seek help and offer to accompany them to a student health center or doctor’s appointment. Although talking through their challenges with you may be helpful, understand that this is not a substitute for professional treatment.

If you think you may have depression, ask yourself the following questions:

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, consider making an appointment with your primary healthcare provider or with someone at your student health center for a mental health assessment.

The following organizations are dedicated to providing resources and assistance to those living with depression:

Most college students experience anxiety from time to time. However, mounting or ongoing feelings of worry, tension, and panic can interfere with day-to-day life. When your daily life is disrupted, anxiety becomes a medical condition that needs treatment.

In a 2016 Pennsylvania State University study, 61% of survey respondents identified anxiety as a leading student mental health condition. And in the aforementioned Healthy Minds Study, 1 in 3 students screened positive for an anxiety disorder.

Below are some of the most common types of anxiety disorders:

Symptoms of an anxiety disorder are often mistaken for everyday stress or written off as worrying too much.

Depending on how your body responds to increased levels of certain chemicals, panic attacks may be mistaken for a physical ailment, such as a heart attack or tension headache.

Common symptoms of anxiety can include:

The exact causes of anxiety aren’t fully understood but may include a combination of genetics, naturally occurring brain chemicals, life experiences, and stress.

Brief, occasional feelings of anxiety or anxiety-driven behaviors do not automatically indicate a mental health condition. If, however, anxious feelings persist, interfere with your daily life or functioning, or begin to manifest as obsessive behaviors with an overwhelming sense of fear, it may be time to seek help.

Someone you know may have an anxiety disorder if they display one or more of the following behaviors:

Refrain from criticizing or belittling the severity of someone’s symptoms and encourage them to try coping strategies that avoid causing further anxiety. You might also encourage your friend or peer to visit campus mental health services so they can talk with a professional.

If you suspect you may have an anxiety disorder, here are some questions to ask yourself:

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, consider visiting your primary healthcare provider or someone at your student health center for a mental health assessment.

The following organizations are excellent resources for students with anxiety disorders:

Suicidal ideation is defined as a pattern of thinking about or planning one’s own death by one’s own hand. Generally, mental health professionals consider overwhelming or highly detailed suicidal thoughts a mental health emergency.

A 2018 study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that 1 in 5 U.S. college students experienced thoughts of suicide. More recently, the 2021 Healthy Minds Study reported that 5% of student respondents had planned to commit suicide (without making an attempt) in the past year.

Many students experience stress, frustration, and doubt, but sometimes those thoughts gain an intense momentum that brings students to a place where they may seriously consider ending their lives.

Signs of suicidal ideation differ from person to person. According to ADAA, common warning signs can appear in a person’s speech, mood, and/or behavior. These include:

If you notice any of the behaviors listed above in a classmate, friend, or family member, it’s important to talk to them about your concerns as soon as possible. They could be in a fragile state, so make sure to approach them with patience and kindness.

In addition to encouraging them to see a mental health professional, you can and should give them the tools to help themselves. Advise them to save the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number — 988 or 1-800-273-8255 — in their phone. (And save this in your phone, as well.)

If you’re unsure how to approach someone who may be experiencing suicidal ideation, you can consult online suicide prevention programs, like Crisis Connections, for advice.

Suicidal thoughts often stem from a preexisting mental health condition. Depression, which can cause distorted thinking, sometimes leads to suicidal thoughts. Feeling utterly overwhelmed and helpless due to anxiety can also result in suicidal thoughts.

If you’re thinking about ending your life, tell a friend or loved one. You should also contact your mental health center as soon as possible.

Remember that crisis services are available. Don’t hesitate to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255 if you’re experiencing peristent thoughts of suicide.

Suicide is a preventable tragedy. There are people out there who care and want to help you.

Many suicide prevention resources are available online and at campus health centers. Here are some organizations that specialize in mental health and suicide prevention:

Eating disorders cover a variety of conditions marked by major irregularities in eating habits and an intense preoccupation with one’s body image or shape. These disorders can involve both food deprivation and binge eating, which may be followed by purging.

Data shows that around 11-17% of female college students and 4% of male college students in the U.S. screen positive for clinical eating disorder symptoms.

Here are some examples of common eating disorders:

The signs and symptoms of eating disorders can vary significantly. Many depend on the mental state of the individual with the disorder.

However, there are several red flags that are common factors for anorexia, bulimia, and binging, such as the following:

Eating disorders can be life-threatening and contribute to serious health issues if not treated properly, such as kidney failure, heart problems, stunted growth, loss of menstruation, and failure of the reproductive system.

We all have days when our self-image isn’t at its best. Remember that experiencing a few negative episodes doesn’t necessarily mean you or someone has an eating disorder.

Nevertheless, when random complaints about weight become all a friend or loved one can focus on, or if you notice they’ve started skipping meals or binging on junk food and then feeling guilty afterward, it may be time to act.

Here are some signs to look for when you suspect someone you know has an eating disorder:

If you answered yes to any of these questions, your peer, friend, or loved one could have an eating disorder. If you need help approaching them about your concerns, consult the National Eating Disorders Association for advice.

Worried you may have or be developing an eating disorder? Here are some questions to ask yourself:

If you answered yes to any of these questions, seek treatment. Eating disorders can become life-threatening, and it’s important you receive help as soon as possible.

If you need guidance to help a friend or yourself through an eating disorder, or if you want to understand more about eating disorders in general, these resources are a good place to start:

College students frequently use alcohol and recreational drugs, which can become problematic.

Substance misuse describes a tangible pattern of physical and/or psychological dependence on one or more substances. This condition typically entails strong cravings and indulgence in substance misuse, despite knowing the risks and harms of this behavior.

According to Addiction Center, about one-third of U.S. college students report symptoms of alcohol misuse. What’s more, a 2018 survey from the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that 15% of male college students and 9% of female college students misused Adderall, a drug commonly used to treat ADHD.

College students have also been found to misuse drugs like marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine, and prescription painkillers at high rates.

Many students who use alcohol and drugs in college do not develop an addiction. However, they can still feel the side effects of withdrawal or prolonged use of these substances.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of substance misuse:

If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you may be at risk of developing a substance use disorder. Genetics can contribute to your likelihood of developing an addiction, especially if your family has a history of alcohol or drug misuse.

It’s not always clear when alcohol or drug use has turned from recreational to habitual. Friends and loved ones who don’t want to admit they have a problem may use tactics that evade and undermine your concerns.

If you suspect someone may have a substance use disorder, ask yourself the following questions:

Those who misuse drugs or alcohol often conceal their symptoms or downplay their addiction. As such, it’s important that you express your concerns as soon as you notice the warning signs.

When the person is sober, tell them you’ve noticed their excessive drug or alcohol use. Emphasize the positive sober behaviors you admire and the destructive behaviors they display when drunk or high that concern you.

Refrain from being accusatory or judgmental, as this might cause them to withdraw and further ignore their issues. Offer to go with them to seek treatment at your student health center and help them find resources to support them.

Ask yourself the following questions if you think you may be exhibiting signs of substance misuse:

If you answered yes to any of these questions, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider right away. Substance misuse should be taken seriously and treated under the guidance of a professional.

The following resources can teach you more about the signs and causes of substance misuse, as well as how to get help for yourself or someone you know:

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Readers of this website should consult with their physician to obtain advice with respect to any medical condition or treatment.