MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES OF FRESHERS

 

By Olatunbosun islamiyah

 

Attending college can be an exceptionally stressful time for many students. In addition to coping with academic pressures, some students must grapple with the challenging tasks of separating and individuating from their family of origin, while others may need to juggle numerous work and family responsibilities.

 

 

Within this context, it's crucial to acknowledge that many college students experience the onset of mental health and substance use problems for the first time or see an exacerbation of existing symptoms. Given the unique characteristics of college students, it's essential to outline critical considerations when working with this population. In this commentary, we will first explore the prevalence of psychiatric and substance use issues among college students and emphasize the significance of assessing the age of onset for current psychopathology.

 Next, we will delve into the persistent nature of mental health problems among college students and discuss its implications. Lastly, we will outline key aspects of treatment for college students with mental health issues, including the importance of involving parents in the treatment process, effective communication with other healthcare providers, and the utilization of technology to enhance adherence to treatment plans. In conclusion, by familiarizing themselves with the unique challenges and developmental stages that college students face, practitioners can better serve this population.

 

 Thus, in addition to stress related to academic load, these students may have to face the task of taking on more adult-like responsibilities without having yet mastered the skills and cognitive maturity of adulthood. For example, many college students may face potentially stressful experiences for the first time including working, being in a significant relationship that may lead to marriage, or having housemates with cultures and belief systems different from their own.

While college students are often employed full-time, older, and may have dependents other than their spouses.

 

 Mental health problems are highly prevalent among college students, partly due to the demanding nature of the college experience. Some students enter college right after high school, typically at a younger age, relying on parental financial support and often not engaged in full-time work. Consequently, they must navigate the transition to adult responsibilities, despite lacking the skills and cognitive maturity associated with adulthood. Many college students encounter potentially stressful experiences for the first time, such as employment, significant relationships, or cohabiting with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

 Conversely, some college students are older, may work full-time, and may have dependents other than spouses. These students grapple with balancing work, family responsibilities, and academic requirements. In such contexts, many college students may experience the onset or worsening of mental health and substance use problems while potentially receiving insufficient or no treatment. The growing recognition of mental health issues in young adults, coupled with increased use of psychotropic medications, has led to a significant influx of college students with mental health problems. A survey of 274 institutions, for example, revealed an 88% increase in reported "severe" psychological problems over the previous five years, including learning disabilities, self-injury incidents, eating disorders, substance use, and sexual assaults. Consequently, there is a heightened demand for counselling and specialized services, particularly for college students with unique age-related characteristics and challenges.

 

 Anxiety disorders top the list of prevalent psychiatric problems among college students, affecting approximately 11.9% of this population. Social phobia, characterized by an early age of onset (typically between 7–14 years), stands out among these disorders. In contrast, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) tend to manifest later. A community sample of adolescents found the peak risk period for developing PTSD to be between the ages of 16 and 17, with approximately one-third of the sample experiencing symptoms by age 14. Additionally, a national mental health survey revealed that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) tends to emerge at around 19 years of age, while GAD typically appears at age 20. Thus, some traditional students may have exhibited PTSD symptoms before college, whereas those with GAD and OCD might begin experiencing symptoms during their college years.

 

 

 Another common mental health issue among college students is depression, with prevalence rates ranging from 7% to 9%. Research indicates that over half of all depression cases first manifest during childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood. Furthermore, mood disorders show an elevated risk that escalates linearly with age, starting in the early teens. Bipolar disorder (BAD) follows a similar pattern, affecting approximately 3.2% of college students. Most adults with BAD experience the onset of their disorder during childhood and adolescence, with at least a third having their first episode before age 12.

 

 

Suicide, while not a specific diagnosis, ranks as the third leading cause of death among young adults and poses a significant concern among college students. A substantial survey reported that among 8,155 students, 6.7% reported suicidal ideation, 1.6% reported having a suicide plan, and 0.5% reported making a suicide attempt in the past year. Given that many students with suicidal ideation do not seek treatment, it is critical to implement screening strategies to identify them and engage them in appropriate care. Depression, hopelessness, and substance use are among the major risk factors for suicide in this age group.

 

Eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating are also prevalent and frequently originate during adolescence, with a sharp increase in risk during early adulthood. A survey of 2,822 college students found that 9.5% screened positive for an eating disorder. Researchers identified peak periods of risk between 17 and 18 years of age for bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder, with another peak between 18 and 20 years. Additionally, sub-threshold eating disorders are even more common than full criteria-eating disorders and are associated with significant impairment.

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