As the numbers of American college students with mental illness rise, counseling centers throughout the country are finding it harder and harder to cope. This is exacerbated by a maze of privacy and students’ rights legislation which limit what officials are able to do to help.

The number of students entering college who have had psychiatric treatment has risen considerably. Many of them would not have been able to enter college in the past. This phenomenon has strained resources.

There are two principle reasons for this surge in the number of students who have, or have had, mental illnesses:

1. Medicines have become more sophisticated. These medicines allow the patient to function more effectively.

2. The Americans With Disabilities Act stipulates that students with mental illness have the right to be at college.

Here are some figures from recent surveys:

— 8.5% of all college students in the USA had seriously considered suicide in 2006 (American College Health Association)

— 15% of all American college students had diagnosed clinical depression in 2006, compared to 10% six years before(American College Health Association)

— 25% of liberal arts college students in the USA were receiving college mental health services in 2006(Anxiety Disorders Association of America)

— 13% of major university students in the USA were receiving college mental health services in 2006 (Anxiety Disorders Association of America)

Virginia Tech, where gunman Cho Seung-Hui went on a shooting rampage which killed 32 students and staff, is said to treat approximately 2,000 students annually. The college has 11 psychologists and 1 psychiatrist among their permanent mental health staff.

Cho underwent an evaluation in 2005, under the orders of a magistrate – he had been making nuisance calls to two women, while someone who knew him suspected he was suicidal. The evaluation suggested Cho could be a danger to himself. He was soon allowed to leave the hospital.

Some more facts (American Psychiatric Association):

— 25% of all young adults will experience a depressive episode before he/she is 24 years’ old

— Almost 50% of college students say they feel so depressed at some point that they cannot function properly

— Suicide is the second cause of death among college students

— Suicide is the third cause of death among 15-24 year olds

— A growing number of people are entering college with a history of mental illness

— The number of college students who drove under the influence of alcohol in 2001 was 2.8 million, compared to 2.3 million in 1998

— Binge drinking among college students has been on the increase for several years. 86% of fraternity residents and 80% of sorority residents say they binge drink

— 39% of college women experienced binge drinking two weeks before being interviewed, compared to 50% of college men

— The incidence of clinically significant alcohol problems among college students has been growing for many years.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today