Since it is going back-to-school season, I thought I’d educate you on some alarming statistics about depression among college students. Here are the facts, just the facts:

One out of every five young people and one out of ever four college students or adults suffers from some form of diagnosable mental illness.

About 19 precent of young people contemplate or attempt suicide each year.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among people ages 15-24, and the second leading cause of death in college students ages 20-24.

Over 66 percent of young people with a substance use disorder have a co-occurring mental health problem.

Teens diagnosed with depression are five times more likely to attempt suicide than adults.

Over two-thirds of young people do not talk about or seek help for mental health problems.

44 percent of American college students reported feeling symptoms of depression.

From 1980 to 1986, the suicide rate for African-American males ages 15-19 increased more than 100 percent.

Four out of every five young people that contemplate or attempt suicide exhibit clear warning signs.

80-90 percent of people that seek the necessary form of mental health treatment can function the way they used to.

Stereotypes are one of the largest barriers preventing young people from seeking the help they need.

An estimated 5 million young females suffer from eating disorders each year, and eating disorders are the deadliest mental illness, claiming more lives than any other illness.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 2 Sep 2010
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.