A survey of college students in the United States in 2022-2023 found that around 41 percent had symptoms of depression. Symptoms of depression vary in severity and can include a loss of interest/pleasure in things once found enjoyable, feelings of sadness and hopelessness, fatigue, changes in sleep, and thoughts of death or suicide.
Mental health among college students
Due to the life changes and stress that often come with attending college, mental health problems are not unusual among college students. The most common mental health problems college students have been diagnosed with are anxiety disorders and depression. Fortunately, these are two of the most treatable forms of mental illness, with psychotherapy and/or medications the most frequent means of treatment. However, barriers to access mental health services persist, with around 21 percent of college students stating that in the past year financial reasons caused them to receive fewer services for their mental or emotional health than they would have otherwise received.
Depression in the United States
Depression is not only a problem among college students but affects people of all ages. In 2021, around nine percent of those aged 26 to 49 years in the United States reported a major depressive episode in the past year. Depression in the United States is more prevalent among females than males, but suicide is almost four times more common among males than females. Death rates due to suicide in the U.S. have increased for both genders in the past few years, highlighting the issue of depression and other mental health disorders and the need for easy access to mental health services.
Percentage of college students with symptoms of depression in the United States in 2022-2023
Release date represents the date figures were accessed.
Depression measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); symptom levels are categorized as severe (score of 15+), moderate (score of 10-14), or mild/minimal (score <10).
* Depression overall, including severe and moderate (positive PHQ-9 screen).
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Healthy Minds Network. (August 15, 2023). Percentage of college students with symptoms of depression in the United States in 2022-2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 11, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1126279/percentage-of-college-students-with-depression-us/
Healthy Minds Network. "Percentage of college students with symptoms of depression in the United States in 2022-2023." Chart. August 15, 2023. Statista. Accessed December 11, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1126279/percentage-of-college-students-with-depression-us/
Healthy Minds Network. (2023). Percentage of college students with symptoms of depression in the United States in 2022-2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 11, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1126279/percentage-of-college-students-with-depression-us/
Healthy Minds Network. "Percentage of College Students with Symptoms of Depression in The United States in 2022-2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 15 Aug 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1126279/percentage-of-college-students-with-depression-us/
Healthy Minds Network, Percentage of college students with symptoms of depression in the United States in 2022-2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1126279/percentage-of-college-students-with-depression-us/ (last visited December 11, 2024)
Percentage of college students with symptoms of depression in the United States in 2022-2023 [Graph], Healthy Minds Network, August 15, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1126279/percentage-of-college-students-with-depression-us/