Unlike many of their predecessors, today’s students are experiencing even more pressure and have even more fast-paced lives. Due to these reasons, we can observe a real epidemic of mental health challenges among college students these days. According to studies, around 30% of students experienced severe anxiety in the 2021 academic year. The same year, over 1 in 5 students were diagnosed with depression.
As the problem grows bigger, we have to spread awareness about common mental health issues facing college students and communicate the best ways to cope with them.
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Depression
The most common issue facing modern students is depression. According to stats, in 2021, 22% of young people were diagnosed with major depression, and 41% were diagnosed with overall depression. This mood disorder can make students feel persistent sadness and lose interest in literally anything. So, it often severely affects all spheres of life, including one’s academic performance.
How to cope with it? If we are talking about severe cases of depression, the best solution is to see a therapist. However, if you just start noticing some lighter symptoms of depression or want to prevent it, there are a few things you can do. First of all, take some good rest. Then, if necessary, request professional research paper help to save more time to devote to rest and self-care. Also, try getting more involved in various activities, talk to your family and friends, and do things you enjoy.
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Anxiety
The second most common mental health disorder facing young people in college is anxiety. According to studies, 1 in 3 students suffers from some type of this disorder. If not addressed properly, even a light form of anxiety can grow into a constant feeling of distress that interferes with daily activities.
What can you do to deal with it? Students suffering from light forms of anxiety should be physically active and stick to a healthy lifestyle. Proper sleep and food are the keys to getting back to normal. Also, it is better to stay away from drugs and alcohol, which can only make your anxiety more severe. Finally, it is important to use relaxation and stress management techniques, avoid burnout, and get enough rest. As with depression, coping with anxiety may require getting some academic support. So, check out this EssayPro review to see if this essay writing service is right for you, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it!
Pro tip: While you can use these basic tips to deal with light forms of anxiety, it is crucial to monitor your condition. If you experience a growing or persistent feeling of worry that doesn’t go away and interferes with your day-to-day life, you might need professional treatment.
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Eating Disorders
There are many different types of eating disorders. To name a few, there is Bulimia, Anorexia, and Binge Eating Disorder. Each of these issues is real. And though they are not widely discussed, they are messing with students’ lives no less than depression or anxiety. According to stats, nearly 17% of girls and 4% of boys in college suffer from various eating disorders. And these are only the ones who were screened positive for clinical symptoms. In reality, there are more young people who suffer from it.
So, how can one cope with this condition? The problem with eating disorders is that they are very tricky and often are formed over long years. Therefore, overcoming them on your own can be hard but not impossible. Experts in mental health give several recommendations to people suffering from eating disorders:
- Start journaling to track your emotions and feelings;
- Identify and analyze your triggers;
- Set measurable goals;
- Embrace body diversity.
Yet, even following these tips, we would recommend seeing a doctor. This way, you will receive extra support and get better sooner.
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Suicidal Ideation
Finally, the last common mental health issue facing college students is suicidal ideation, which is a pattern of planning or even thinking about one’s suicide. According to studies, 1 in 5 young people in the US have thought about suicide, and 5% reported planning to commit one. The problem of teen suicide is growing huge in the country, so it is crucial to spread awareness.
Are there ways to cope with it? If you’ve noticed the first signs of suicidal ideation, you should do whatever you can to keep these thoughts away. Changing a lifestyle can help a lot, and different stress management techniques also work. But if these thoughts are overwhelming and regular, this is considered a mental health emergency, which requires professional support.
Conclusion
Studying in college isn’t easy. This stage in a person’s life is broadly associated with a hefty academic load, constant lack of time, a large number of challenges, and, as a result, different mental health issues. Now, you know about the most common ones and how to cope with them. Take care of yourself!
