U.S. college students that had select disabilities or conditions as of fall 2023

A survey from the fall of 2023 of over 23,000 college students from 38 schools across the United States found that almost 16 percent of respondents reported suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Furthermore, around three percent stated they had autism spectrum disorder.

Health conditions among college students

Some of the most common health conditions that college students had been diagnosed with in the last year, as of fall 2023, included a cold/virus or other respiratory illness, the flu, and an orthopedic injury such as a broken bone or sprain. However, the most common health conditions that college students reported they had ever been diagnosed with included anxiety, environmental allergies, acne, and depression. In the fall of 2023, around 32 percent of college students reported that at some point in their life they had been diagnosed with anxiety, while 24 percent had been diagnosed with depression. Many universities in the United States now promote and offer mental health services, but many college students still do not receive the treatment they require.

Mental health treatment

According to mental health clinicians, the top concerns for their college student patients are anxiety, depression, and relationship problems. These issues are not uncommon among college students as many are living on their own for the first time in their lives, perhaps far away from home, and are likely dealing with new levels of academic, financial, and social stress. However, although universities are increasingly aware of these issues and a greater number now provide on-campus resources, many students are still not receiving treatment. For example, a survey of over 103,000 college students in 2022-2023 found that around 19 percent felt they didn’t know where to go for on-campus professional mental health services. Furthermore, around 21 percent of respondents stated that due to financial reasons they received fewer services (counseling, therapy, or medications) in the past year for their mental or emotional health than they would have otherwise received.