Many California Community College Students Report Depression, Anxiety
(CBS SF) – A new study of community college students in California and across the country found about half of students reported mental health issues.
Researchers at the Wisconsin HOPE Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Michigan surveyed more than 4,000 community college students in California and six other states.
In a study released this week (.pdf), the researchers said 49 percent of the students reported at least one mental health condition, compared to 43 percent of students at four-year colleges and universities. Among community college students 25 and under, 56 percent reported a mental health condition.
Depression and anxiety were the most common issues reported.
Among those with conditions, researchers also found a large discrepancy between community college and four-year college students in getting counseling or other support. While 79 percent of students at four-year schools received help, only 60 percent of community college students did.
If you or someone you know has a mental health condition, there is help. Immediate help can be found by contacting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline online or by calling 800-273-8255.
The Mental Health Association of San Francisco and the Department of Health and Human Services also has links to available services.
Tim Fang is a digital producer for CBS San Francisco and a native of the Bay Area. Follow him on Twitter @fangtj.
