The Most Common Mental Health Disorders Affecting College Students
1. The Most Common Mental Health Disorders Affecting College Students
Mark Chae, PhD, is a psychology researcher who formerly worked as an associate professor and post-
doctoral research fellow at Rutgers University. While pursuing his PhD, Mark Chae provided mental
health services to university students at counseling centers in New Jersey and New York.
The mental health of students at the college level has made headlines in recent years, with news outlets
like NBC and Time Magazine reporting more university students than ever are seeking treatment for
mental health issues. Even studies cited by the American Psychological Association (APA) five years ago
showed college counseling centers were concerned about the rising number of students with serious
psychological issues.
While each student’s experience is different, research shows depression, anxiety, addiction, eating
disorders, and suicide are the mental health conditions that most commonly affect people in college.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), around a quarter of today’s students have a
diagnosable mental health condition, but a full 40 percent of those struggling with these problems do not
seek professional help. There are resources that assist students in getting the help they need, including
on-campus counseling centers at many universities. College students who wish to find out more about
mental illness and finding help can begin with online resources like those provided at ulifeline.org.