"One in three Terps will feel too depressed to function," according to suicide prevention flyers posted throughout campus by the University Health Center. In other words, out of approximately 27,000 undergrads enrolled at UMD this year, depression will impact nearly 9,000 students in total.
Depression is not just a condition, it is a mental health illness that impairs the success of over 30 percent of college students, specifically those attending the University of Maryland, College Park.
When asked about the differences of depression rates between grade levels, the Counseling Center's Associate Director David Petersen shared that fourth-year students made the most frequent visits for counselling services in the last academic year.
As academic standards become more rigorous and demanding, students are found to experience higher levels of stress as rates of depression may become more severe. Although the reasons for an increase of visits by seniors compared to freshman are unclear, some studies suggest that negative stigmas associated with mental illnesses may provide a possible explanation.
In an article focusing on depression stigma attitudes, researchers Schwenk, Davis and Wimsatt found that first-and-second-year students felt less inclined to receive medical attention due to the belief that "seeking help for depression would make them feel less intelligent."
High academic demands may cause higher stress levels among students in competitive academic fields
In addition to the increased levels of stress experienced over time, competition for academic success was also a prominent factor that contributed to states of depression within young adults.
The pressure to receive good grades were partly due to the high expectations instilled within parents, according to a College Quarterly report released in 2013. Alicia Flatt, a researcher studying the mental health crisis, stated that in recent years "academic stress has been heightened by high grade expectations, the gap between academic expectations and reality, and the millennial generation’s inability to cope with failure.”
New academic challenges within today's generation of UMD students may be greater than in previous years. Moreover, some parents may not understand the extent of the struggles endured by millennials suggests Carl Lejuez, UMD Professor and Director of Clinical Training in the Clinical Psychology Program.
"Students constantly feel the need to prepare themselves in order to meet the needs of the job market," reveals Flatt. This pressure leads to an increased level of academic competition, as undergrads feel they must "outperform each other" to guarantee academic success or a future career.
Professor Lejuez's expert opinion is congruent to the findings of Flatt. In her research, Flatt discusses further studies conducted by Guo, Wang, Johnson and Diaz in the College Student Journal published in 2011, indicating that academic demands posed within competitive economic environments may also be responsible for elevated stress levels in higher education.
Although many students admit to experiencing depression throughout their college years, less than 20 percent are said to receive treatment
Despite the grueling stresses of competitive environments, students are reluctant to seek help. Although no data was found specific to the University of Maryland, many accounts suggest that depression is "chronically under-treated" in the population at large.
A substantial number of students admit to experiencing depression throughout their college career but less than one-third were found to seek professional consultation, reported Oswalt and Finkelberg in a study of depressed students within the Counseling and Clinical Psychology Journal.
Out of 182 undergraduate participants attending Appalachian State University, 22 students that were evaulated reached clinical levels of depression; where only six received treatment, and of those six only one received a combination of medication and psychotherapy.Psychotherapy is an interactive process between a patient and a qualified mental health professional in which individuals meet with a psychiatrist or psychologist to discuss their issues. The evidence provided in the study at ASU further underlines the notion that in many cases, elevated levels of depression go unreported and untreated throughout college campuses.
Instead of seeking professional help as recommended, the use of drugs and alcohol were found to be common methods of coping within students enrolled in four-year institutions. Moreover, students who are depressed are more likely to engage in behaviors that further comprises their health.
In a publication addressing depression and alcohol drug use in U.S. colleges, researcher Virginia Ross states that psychological and emotional problems are worsened by the use of drugs and alcohol which increases the likelihood of high-risk behaviors, including suicide.
She found that roughly 16 percent of women and nine percent of men were reported to be diagnosed with depression at the time of the study. Results on the prevalence of substance use revealed on multiple platforms that alcohol was the substance with the highest rate of use, which is consistent with the national pattern.
Clinical interviews, medication evaluations and behavioral treatments are only a few methods used to diagnose and evaluate levels of depression at Maryland
Similar to that of many universities, UMD allocates a multitude of mental health programs to alleviate the dangers of excessive alcohol and drug use that lead students to experience high rates of depression.
When asked about the different types of equipment used to assess levels of depression, Peterson explains that a computer-based survey, otherwise known as the "PHQ-10," is the first method of evaluation given to students to better understand levels of severity.
PHQ-10 stands for the "Patient Health Questionnaire." It is a multipurpose instrument used to screen, diagnose, monitor and measure levels of depression. Often utilized in clinical practices, the PHQ-10 is only used to make a tentative depression diagnosis. Therefore, a greater assessment of symptoms should be conducted that more accurately reflects a patient's improving or worsening conditions.
In cases where depression levels call for greater analysis, Lejuez has developed a method of psychotherapy called "behavioral activation." This treatment is structured to focus on the patient's mental state, in the hopes of better understanding the causes of their feelings and behaviors.
Goal-setting, dairy-keeping and other practices of self-evaluation are key components of behavioral activation treatment, training and encouraging patients to pay close attention to stimuli that affect thoughts, moods and attitudes. The primary goal of this treatment is to "increase pleasant personally rewarding behaviors" in order to improve one's quality of life.
The methods used to evaluate and treat depression varies based on the symptoms expressed within the individual. Short-term individual therapy, medication evaluations and suicide prevention programs are only a few of the many services offered on campus at Maryland.
When students receive help for mental health problems, the chances of betterment are enhanced exponentially. Developing programs to improve prevention, identification and treatment for depression has become a crucial component in ensuring a safe and healthy university setting.
Lejuez explains that UMD provides various counseling services for students seeking treatment. Based on severity of the depressive state, psychology and health clinics are said to provide greater methods of evaluations in treating symptoms.
In an attempt to raise awareness, the University Health Center provides various campus-wide resources in order to encourage students to seek the help they need. The Faculty Staff Assistance Program, designed to provide professional services for the UMD community, lists general symptoms of depression found in patients which may include:
Informative "Overcoming Depression" articles on the UHC website, free anonymous mental health assessments and a "Month of Gratitude" aimed to cultivate happiness and reduce depression are created to help students stay well-informed.
Counselling services provided within universities are shown to have increased over the years. Clinical psychologists and health care professionals urge the allocation of these resources due to the understand of difficult conditions exposed particularly in the college-setting.
According to common statistics focusing on major depressive disorders, the average age that a person develops depression is in their mid-20's. During this time, college students are particularly vulnerable to mental health illnesses due to the challenges of adjustment that cause them to feel overwhelmed.
Further research conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health indicates that many factors contribute to a state of despondency among young adults such as, greater academic demands, being independent in a new environment, financial responsibilities and preparing for life after graduation.
Supporting facts released by the Associated Press from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America also stated that a majority of students experience daily stress, with over 30 percent dealing with depression in the past three months. Within the survey, 13 percent were diagnosed with a mental health condition and nine percent have considered suicide in the past year.
Although the reasons behind the influence are complex, overall current research demonstrates that significant factors that contribute to the mental and emotional strain include academic pressure, financial burden, advances in technology and lifestyle choices.
The mental health crisis is a serious and growing concern within college students across the globe. Flatt insists that the ongoing "intensification of students' psychological needs" must be counteracted with proactive education and mental health programming. Depression affects millions of students, not just those attending the University of Maryland. With adolescent suicide rates tripling over the past 60 years, college students must be given special attention in higher education funding to safeguard the well-being of those enrolled each year.
The methods used to evaluate and treat depression varies based on the symptoms expressed within the individual. Short-term individual therapy, medication evaluations and suicide prevention programs are only a few of the many services offered on campus at Maryland.
Counselling programs have shown to foster a safe environment, reducing greater risks of depression and mental health illnesses
When students receive help for mental health problems, the chances of betterment are enhanced exponentially. Developing programs to improve prevention, identification and treatment for depression has become a crucial component in ensuring a safe and healthy university setting.
Lejuez explains that UMD provides various counseling services for students seeking treatment. Based on severity of the depressive state, psychology and health clinics are said to provide greater methods of evaluations in treating symptoms.
In an attempt to raise awareness, the University Health Center provides various campus-wide resources in order to encourage students to seek the help they need. The Faculty Staff Assistance Program, designed to provide professional services for the UMD community, lists general symptoms of depression found in patients which may include:
- Persistent sad or "empty" mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities
- Decreased energy, fatigue
- Sleep disturbances (insomnia, early-morning waking or oversleeping)
Informative "Overcoming Depression" articles on the UHC website, free anonymous mental health assessments and a "Month of Gratitude" aimed to cultivate happiness and reduce depression are created to help students stay well-informed.
Statistics show that college students are particularly vulnerable to experiencing depression due to the difficulties of adapting to a new environment
Counselling services provided within universities are shown to have increased over the years. Clinical psychologists and health care professionals urge the allocation of these resources due to the understand of difficult conditions exposed particularly in the college-setting.
According to common statistics focusing on major depressive disorders, the average age that a person develops depression is in their mid-20's. During this time, college students are particularly vulnerable to mental health illnesses due to the challenges of adjustment that cause them to feel overwhelmed.
Further research conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health indicates that many factors contribute to a state of despondency among young adults such as, greater academic demands, being independent in a new environment, financial responsibilities and preparing for life after graduation.
Although the reasons behind the influence are complex, overall current research demonstrates that significant factors that contribute to the mental and emotional strain include academic pressure, financial burden, advances in technology and lifestyle choices.
The mental health crisis is a serious and growing concern within college students across the globe. Flatt insists that the ongoing "intensification of students' psychological needs" must be counteracted with proactive education and mental health programming. Depression affects millions of students, not just those attending the University of Maryland. With adolescent suicide rates tripling over the past 60 years, college students must be given special attention in higher education funding to safeguard the well-being of those enrolled each year.
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