Half Of Young Adults Suffer Mental Health Problems
Posted on: Saturday, 13 December 2008, 08:15 CST
A new study by researchers at Columbia University finds that nearly half of all young adults have suffered some type of mental health problem during the past year. However, few seek treatment.
The researchers based their findings on a large government health survey involving more than 5,092 U.S. participants aged 19 to 25 conducted in 2001-2002. The survey included standard questions used to diagnose substance abuse and other mental health problems such as depression, anxiety disorders and bipolar disorder.
The study found that mental health disorders were common among both college students and those not attending college. Furthermore, only 25% of either group had sought treatment for their mental health disorder in the previous year.
"These findings underscore the importance of treatment and prevention interventions among college-aged individuals," wrote the researchers, led by Dr. Carlos Blanco of the New York State Psychiatric Institute at Columbia University, in a report about the study.
Those who seek prompt treatment of disorders like anxiety, depression and drug and alcohol dependence can reduce the risk their problem will persist past young adulthood, the researchers add.
Blanco and his team found that 46 percent of college students and 48 percent of those not in college had suffered from a mental health disorder during the previous 12 months.
Among college students, alcohol abuse was slightly more common, while those not in college were at greater risk of drug abuse. The prevalence of anxiety and mood disorders such depression and bipolar disorder was similar in each group. Roughly one in eight of those not in college had a mood disorder, as did almost 11 percent of college students. The prevalence of anxiety disorders was similar in both groups, at roughly 12 percent.
Both groups reported low rates of treatment, with college students about half as likely to have sought help for their problem.
Blanco says the results indicate a need for better treatment and awareness of mental health disorders.
"As these young people represent our nation's future," the researchers wrote.
"Urgent action is needed to increase detection and treatment of psychiatric disorders among college students and their non-college- attending peers."
The study was published in the December 2008 journal of General Psychiatry.
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Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports
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