Mental health and university studentsMental health and university students

Michał SkalskiMichał Skalski

Sleep Disorder Treatment ClinicSleep Disorder Treatment Clinic

Psychiatric Department and Clinical Psychiatric Ward of the Psychiatric Department and Clinical Psychiatric Ward of the Medical University of WarsawMedical University of Warsaw

The number of students manifesting the symptoms of various mental health conditions has been evidently growing in the recent years.

Mental health conditions seriously impede the ability to learn and continue university education.

The mental health of students in higher education. Council Report CR112 2003. Royal College of Psychiatrists London

Table. Incidence of mental health conditions among adolescents and young people.

The mental health of students in higher education. Council Report CR112 2003. Royal College of Psychiatrists London

Participants were 13,257 student–clients who sought personal counseling at the campus counseling center on a large midwestern university campus with an average annual enrollment of about 20,000 students

Fig.1 How do you generally assess your health?

25%

59%

15% 1%

Very good

Quite good

So so, neither good nor bad Quite bad

Very bad

HEALTH AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AS SEEN BY 1ST YEAR STUDENTS OF SOCIAL POLICYA study report. Marta Błotna, Joanna Kocot, Warszawa, May 2007

HEALTH AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AS SEEN BY 1ST YEAR STUDENTS OF SOCIAL POLICYA study report. Marta Błotna, Joanna Kocot, Warszawa, May 2007

Fig.2 How do you generally assess your mental health/fitness?

24%

56%

15%

4% 1% Very good

Good

So so, neither good nor bad Bad

Very bad

HEALTH AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AS SEEN BY 1ST YEAR STUDENTS OF SOCIAL POLICYA study report. Marta Błotna, Joanna Kocot, Warszawa, May 2007

Fig.3 Would you use the services of a psychologist/psychotherapist?

38%

62%

Yes, I would Yes, I am No

Jasiński Tadeusz, Płock, 2009Mental health of Physical Education students of the Paweł Włodkowic Higher School in Płock

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Total result for GHQ-28(%)

Full-time programme students G1(n=23)

8,7 52,17 17,39 17,39 4,35

Full-time programme students G2(n=48)

22,92 50 14,58 8,33 4,17

Full-time programme students G3(n-27)

22,22 33,33 18,52 18,52 3,7 3,7

Part-time programme students G4(n=49)

32,65 36,73 14,29 12,24 2,04 2,04

0 0<2 2<5 5<10 10<15 15<20 20<25

•Available studies confirm that students report more mental health problems than the population of non-students in the same age.

•There is no empirical study data indicating that students are more susceptible to mental health conditions.

•University studies are connected with:• higher stress levels,• emotional problems related to moving from home and school to less structured university environment,• stress caused by studying and exams,• possible financial problems.

The mental health of students in higher education. Council Report CR112 2003. Royal College of Psychiatrists London

ACTUAL INCIDENCE OF MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS (annually)

Total population

All disordersSchizophreniaAffective disordersPhobiasGeneral anxietyPanic anxietyBulimiaMental handicap

of women

Total number treated 1 1970 1980 1990 2000

Hospitals 377,5 453,8 440,6 582,4

Outpatients’ clinics 1339,4 1279 1362,9 2068,8

         

First-time treated 1970 1980 1990 2000

Hospitals 112,9 131,8 129,4 202,8

Outpatients’ clinics 429,2 380,4 351,2 571,5

Treatament in psychiatric hospital wards and outpatients’ clinics in Poland in 1970-2000 according to IPiN (Psychiatria, Bilikiewicz, 2006)

INCIDENCE REGISTERED IN THE POLISH PSYCHIATRIC CARE SYSTEM 1999 AND

2003 (COMPARISON)

Data per 100,000 of total populationOutpatient care

All treated personsSchizophreniaAffective disordersNeurotic disorders

Characteristics of mental health conditions:

• Psychotic conditions

• Neurosis

• Functional disorders

• Organic disorders

Mental health conditions among students

a large majority of mental health conditions begin during university study

•schizophrenia (15 – 35 years of age, 50% before 25)

• bipolar disorders (20 – 50 years of age)

• anxiety disorders

• anxiety attacks (late 20s)

• phobia (late childhood)

• OCD (adolescence or early maturity)

• general anxiety (onset varies, usually early maturity)

• somatic disorders (puberty, early maturity)

• conversion disorders (early maturity or later)

• pain disorders (between 30 and 40 years of age)

• dismorphic somatic disorders (puberty, early maturity)

• eating disorders (10 – 30 years of age)

(Kaplan, Sadock, 2004)

Mental health conditions among students

Often the system of studies itself causes acute or chronic stress which, in more sensitive and ambitious individuals, may result in various adaptation reactions that disturb mental health and social functioning not less that mental health conditions of biological nature.

Summary:

The system of studies so far has been eliminating persons with mental health conditions from further pursuit of education.

Stress related to the attempts of adaptation to the system of studies often intensifies the course of illness, releases various acute and chronic adaptation reactions and increases the risk of complications (e.g. addiction, suicide attempts).

Such effects are a great loss for both the individual and the society. The system rejects or changes more susceptible and sensitive persons who, after adequate training, might prove themselves in many professions that require greater sensitivity or empathy.

Mental health conditions among students appear to be a serious problem of the academic community while the ways and standards of solving it have not been yet developed.