Persistence of mental health problems and needs in a college student population.
BACKGROUND
Cross-sectional studies indicate a high prevalence of mental health problems among college students, but there are fewer longitudinal data on these problems and related help-seeking behavior.


METHODS
We conducted a baseline web-based survey of students attending a large public university in fall 2005 and a two-year follow-up survey in fall 2007. We used brief screening instruments to measure symptoms of mental disorders (anxiety, depression, eating disorders), as well as self-injury and suicidal ideation. We estimated the persistence of these mental health problems between the two time points, and determined to what extent students with mental health problems perceived a need for or used mental health services (medication or therapy). We conducted logistic regression analyses examining how baseline predictors were associated with mental health and help-seeking two years later.


RESULTS
Over half of students suffered from at least one mental health problem at baseline or follow-up. Among students with at least one mental health problem at baseline, 60% had at least one mental health problem two years later. Among students with a mental health problem at both time points, fewer than half received treatment between those time points.


CONCLUSIONS
Mental health problems are based on self-report to brief screens, and the sample is from a single university.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that mental disorders are prevalent and persistent in a student population. While the majority of students with probable disorders are aware of the need for treatment, most of these students do not receive treatment, even over a two-year period.
Zivin
Kara
K
Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) Center of Excellence, Serious Mental Illness Treatment Research and Evaluation Center (SMITREC), Ann Arbor, MI, United States. kzivin@umich.edu
Eisenberg
Daniel
D
Gollust
Sarah E
SE
Golberstein
Ezra
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D015146:Midwestern United States; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs