Depression Among College Students-Michelle Petersen FGCU

10. March 2010 by student.

Depression among college students is on the rise. The combination of mounting stress, perfectionism, and lack of support is taking a toll on more and more college students. There is a lot more being demanded of students today than ever before due to the rise in number of graduates in the job market, the fear of not being able to find a job after graduation even with a degree, the state of the economy, and the pressure from family to do well.

“Today’s college students are twice as likely to become depressed and three times as likely to become suicidal than they were a decade ago (Zumer).” Many counseling center directors nationwide claim that the depressed economy has put more stress on students recently than grades have due to the fact that family’s dollars must be stretched further, this tends to put pressure on the student to do well because they are forced to graduate and get a good job so that they can pay off student loans and help to support their family.

Students also feel they must stand out among their peers because of the perception that there are very few opportunities in the workplace. Competition can be healthy, especially in an educational environment, but too much can lead to feelings of failure.

Cited- Student Depression Rates Rising. The Triangle Newspaper. Zumer, Bryna. Issue date: 1-11-08. http://media.www.thetriangle.org/media/storage/paper689/news/2008/01/11/News/Student.Depression.Rates.Rising-3149759-page3.shtml.

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