Mental Illness
Prolific Among College Students
Parents Underestimate Prevalence, Preparedness Of Students
(August. 25, 2004) -- Due to a high rate of
mental illness
found among the college population, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
urges parents to talk to their children about mental illness before college and
maintain an open dialogue throughout young adulthood. This recommendation
follows the release of a new study, conducted by NAMI and Abbott Laboratories,
which found a high incidence of mental illness among the college age population,
yet a lack of education and understanding among both the students and their
parents. A key finding of the survey, administered as part of Bipolar Disorder
Awareness Day, was the large number of students who reported an experience of
symptoms associated with serious mental illness.
According to the survey:
- One in three students report having experienced prolonged
periods of
depression
- One in four students report having
suicidal thoughts or feelings
- One in seven students report engaging in abnormally reckless behavior
- One in seven students report difficulty functioning at school due to
mental illness
"The impact of untreated mental illness on a college student's life can be
devastating," commented Ken Duckworth, M.D., assistant professor at Harvard
Medical School and medical director for NAMI. "In the majority of circumstances,
bipolar
disorder, like diabetes, can be managed and controlled. However, if left
untreated, it can result in negative outcomes and even premature death. Unless
we educate our students and work to reduce the stigma associated with seeking
help on America's campuses, young people will suffer needlessly."
Many students report experiencing the warning signs of mental illness, yet
parents lag in their awareness and understanding of these symptoms.
Fifty percent of students rate their mental health as below average or poor,
while only 25 percent of parents report their student's mental health to be in
this range. In addition, 30 percent of students report that they or a friend
have had problems functioning at school because of a mental health problem, yet
only seven percent of parents say their student has experienced this.
"Parents should talk to their college student about mental illness before
they leave for college and maintain a regular dialogue throughout the school
year," said Mike Fitzpatrick, executive director of NAMI. "The majority of
people with bipolar disorder, for example, experience an onset of symptoms
before the age of 20, making late adolescence an essential time for awareness.
While parents can't prevent mental illness, educating themselves and their
college age children can help encourage early diagnosis -- and early diagnosis
can save lives."
Students report a lack of education on mental illness.
Mental illness is a major concern for the college student population, yet
nearly half of students report receiving no education on mental health issues
before starting college, including education from family, friends, teachers,
counselors or clergy. In addition, approximately half of students report
receiving no information on mental health from their college or university.
In contrast, the majority of parents -- nearly 75 percent -- report that they
or another family member discussed mental illness with their student prior to
college, however only 22 percent of students report receiving this education.
"Awareness needs to be a top priority for members of all communities,
especially those interacting with the college age population," added
Fitzpatrick. "Just as parents and colleges discuss
alcohol use, sexually transmitted diseases and
eating disorders with students, they should also cover mental illness. The
college age population must be informed, not only for the sake of their own
health, but also to help recognize the signs and symptoms in their friends."
According to the survey, students are most likely to turn to friends should
they experience a serious emotional problem while at school. Sixty-two percent
of students reported that they would turn to a friend, 46 percent would access a
parent, and 30 percent would go to a campus counseling center.
Parents and students alike lack an understanding of mental illness and
bipolar disorder.
Both parents and students report many misconceptions about mental illness,
specifically bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder resulting
from a chemical imbalance in the brain and can be treated with medication and
counseling. However, according to the survey:
-- Thirty-five percent of parents and 48 percent of students believe bipolar
disorder is at least somewhat attributed to a character flaw or weak willpower.
-- Fifty-five percent of parents and students somewhat believe that people with
bipolar disorder should not be in positions of responsibility. -- More than 70
percent of parents and students would be uncomfortable to some extent if a close
friend or family member was dating or marrying a person with bipolar disorder.
In addition, parents and students do not realize the enormous consequences of
an untreated mental illness such as bipolar disorder.
-- Nearly one in four parents and students do not agree that untreated
bipolar disorder can lead to suicide, but other studies show as many as 50
percent of people with untreated bipolar disorder attempt suicide at least once.
-- More than one in four parents and students do not understand that untreated
bipolar disorder can lead to contact with the criminal justice system, yet
sources show that people with untreated mental illnesses spend twice as much
time in jail.
About Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, is a serious brain disorder that
causes extreme shifts in mood, energy and functioning. It is characterized by
episodes of mania and depression that can last from days to months and usually
begins in late adolescence, but can begin in early childhood or as late as a
person's 40s or 50s. There is a strong genetic component related to bipolar
disorder, however, genetics do not always predict who will develop the disorder.
Bipolar disorder is a chronic and generally life-long condition, requiring
life-long treatment.
About Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day
Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day was created to increase awareness of bipolar
disorder, promote early detection and accurate diagnosis, reduce stigma, and
minimize the devastating impact on the 2.3 million Americans presently affected
by the disorder. Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day is hosted by the NAMI, with
support from Abbott Laboratories, and will be held on October 7, 2004, during
Mental Illness Awareness Week. For additional information on bipolar disorder,
please visit NAMI's Web site at http://www.nami.org.
About NAMI
NAMI supports a national grassroots effort to transform America's mental
health care system, combat stigma, support research and attain adequate health
insurance, housing, rehabilitation, jobs and family support for millions of
Americans living with mental illnesses. NAMI's 1,000 affiliates are dedicated to
public education, advocacy and support and receive generous donations from tens
of thousands of individuals as well as grants from government, foundations and
corporations. NAMI's greatest asset, however, is its volunteers -- who donate an
estimated $135 million worth of their time each year.
Survey Design, Methodology
FGI Research administered this survey over the Internet during June and July
2004. Prospective respondents were sent email invitations to complete the
appropriate version of the survey. A total of 1,033 current college/university
students (ages 18-31), 1,028 parents of college students, and 282 patients
diagnosed with bipolar disorder (ages 18-35) completed the survey. Prospective
student and parent respondents were recruited from FGI Research's SmartPanel(TM)
of Internet survey participants nationwide. The patient sample was obtained from
a targeted ailment panel with additional screening questions applied. Student
and patient respondent samples have been statistically weighted so that the
proportions of men and women in each group represented in the results reflect
their actual proportions in the U.S. population.
Source: National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
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