Mental Health Facts for Students

• 1 out of every 5 young people suffers from some form of diagnosable mental illness. 2

• About 19% of young people contemplate or attempt suicide each year. 1

• Suicide is the third leading cause of death among people ages 15-24, and the second leading cause of death in college students ages 20-24. 1

• Over 66% of young people with a substance use disorder have a co-occurring mental health problem. 2

• Teens diagnosed with depression are five times more likely to attempt suicide than adults. 7

• Over 2/3 of young people do not talk about or seek help for mental health problems. 6

• 44% of american college students reported feeling symptoms of depression. 8

• From 1980-1986, the suicide rate for african-american males ages 15-19 increased more than 100%. 3

• 4 out of every 5 young people that contemplate or attempt suicide exhibit clear warning signs. 4

• 80-90% of people that seek the necessary form of mental health treatment can function the way they used to. 2

• Stereotypes are one of the largest barriers preventing young people from seeking the help they need. 2

• An estimated 5 million young females suffer from eating disorders each year   and eating disorders are the deadliest mental illness claiming more lives than any other illness. 4

All statistics have been provided by 1 NYU Child Study Center; 2 the Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health; 3 the Center for Disease Control; 4 the N.M.H.A.; 5 A.F.S.P.; 6 American Journal of Psychiatry 10/02; 7 Journal of American Medical Ass. 5/12/99; 8 the Wall Street Journal.