Reports of mental health issues rising among postsecondary students: study

Brainwashing should be more fun

A fifth of Canadian postsecondary students are depressed and anxious or battling other mental health issues, according to a new national survey of colleges and universities that finds more students are reporting being in distress than three years ago.

Reports of serious mental health crises such as depression and thoughts about suicide also rose.

“The survey tells us what the situation is, it doesn’t necessarily tell us the why,” said Rachelle McGrath, a team lead for Wellness Services at Mount Royal University. “It’s our job to try and figure out why.” Ms. McGrath is a member of the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS), the group that released the study.

Called the National College Health Assessment, the survey has been used in the United States since 2000. But this is only the second time Canadian students were surveyed. Forty-one Canadian postsecondary institutions participated this year and about 44,000 students responded.

One of the most striking findings was that 8 per cent fewer students than in 2013 felt their health was very good or excellent. Between 3-per-cent and 4-per-cent more said they had experienced anxiety, depression and stress that had affected their academic performance.  (more...)

Reports of mental health issues rising among postsecondary students: study