Percentage of U.S. college students with mental disorders in 2021

A survey from 2021 of college students in the United States found that the most common mental disorders that college students have been diagnosed with are anxiety disorders and depression or other mood disorders. Around 31 percent of the college students surveyed at that time reported they had been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder at some point in their lifetime.

Depression among college students

Although college can be an exciting time, it can also be stressful and difficult. College students are often faced with new challenges related to living alone, their academic performance, the financial burden of attending college, and new social interactions. Therefore, anxiety and symptoms of depression are not uncommon among college students. In fact, it is estimated that up to 41 percent of college students in the U.S. had symptoms of depression in 2021. Thankfully, depressive symptoms can usually be successfully treated through therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or a combination of these. However, if left untreated depression can lead to thoughts of suicide or self-harm. A survey from 2021, found that up to 13 percent of U.S. college students had thoughts of suicide in the past year.

Mental health help on campus

Many colleges in the United States have recognized the stress and anxiety that students can experience and now offer mental health resources on campus. However, barriers to access mental health services still exist. For example, as of 2021, around 30 percent of surveyed college students in the U.S. indicated that they were not sure where on their campus to seek professional help for their mental or emotional health. Furthermore, around 19 percent of students stated that they received fewer mental or emotional health services than they otherwise would have due to not having enough time for such services, while 18 percent said they received fewer services due to financial reasons.