Mental Health Study of University Students
South Africa National Student Mental Health Survey, conducted in 2020, collected data from undergraduate students at 17 institutions. More than 70 000 students responded to the survey, making it one of the biggest national student Mental Health surveys in the world and the first study of its kind in South Africa to collect data from many universities and assess a wide range of Mental Health problems. The study found that:
- 20 – 30% of Students are at risk of developing a Mental Illness
- 16.3% of students met the diagnostic criteria for a Mood Disorder (either Major Depressive Disorder or a Bipolar Mood Disorder)
- While 10.9% experienced a Generalised Anxiety Disorder.
- 21% of students reported clinically significant symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, highlighting the high rates of trauma among the country’s young people.
- 6.6% of students are likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for a Substance use disorder
- 22.7% of students reported symptoms of an Eating Disorder and 24.5% reported symptoms of social anxiety
The initial results from the survey are an important step towards identifying where interventions are needed, what kinds of problems students are struggling with and the number of students who need help. The Mental Health of our country’s students is a key priority, not least of all because Mental Disorders may lead to lower academic attainment given that higher education is integral to economic growth and human development. Reliable epidemiological data about Mental Disorders is required to help plan effective campus-based interventions, formulate context-sensitive policies, establish priorities, especially in resource-constrained environments, and ensure that limited resources can be allocated to where they are most needed.
https://mg.co.za/thoughtleader/opinion/2022-11-09-large-mental-health-study-finds-20-30-of-students-at-risk/
