title: Depression and suicide ideation among students accessing campus health care.
abstract: Depression and suicide are of increasing concern on college campuses. This article presents data from the College Health Intervention Projects on the frequency of depression and suicide ideation among 1,622 college students who accessed primary care services in 4 university clinics in the Midwest, Northwest, and Canada. Students completed the Beck Depression Inventory and other measures related to exercise patterns, alcohol use, sensation seeking, and violence. The frequency of depression was similar for men (25%) and women (26%). Thought of suicide was higher for men (13%) than women (10%). Tobacco use, emotional abuse, and unwanted sexual encounters were all associated with screening positive for depression. "Days of exercise per week" was inversely associated with screening positive for depression. Because the majority of students access campus-based student health centers, medical providers can serve a key role in early identification and intervention. With every 4th student reporting symptoms of depression and every 10th student having suicidal thoughts, such interventions are needed.
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, USA.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mackenzie
authors.forename: Jennifer R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Wiegel
authors.forename: Marlon
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mundt
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Saewyc
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heiligenstein
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Harahan
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fleming
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities