Psychological problems on rise, 17.8% students report suicidal tendencies
Over 51.6% students experience anxiety, out of which, 47% students have been suffering from anxiety symptoms for continuous period of time, reveals a survey conducted by Cosmos Institute of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences (CIMBS). The survey screened over 500 college students in the age group of 18-25 years from across Delhi. The aim was to screen and identify common psychological health issues amongst college going students.
Out of all the students who reported experiencing mood disturbances, nearly 30% were men and 70% were women.
“In recent times, with rapid transition in the socio-cultural scenario, an upward trend has been seen in young individuals seeking help for depression and anxiety. An individual with depression may experience sadness of mood which is out of proportion and across most situations, loss of interest, feeling tired easily, sleeping issues, loss of appetite, difficulty in concentration, decreased libido, hopelessness, helplessness, excessive guilt and suicidal tendencies. Anxiety symptoms include feeling excessive uneasiness and apprehension about future events, feeling on the edge, and bodily symptoms like experiencing palpitations, trembling of hands, uneasiness while breathing, unpleasant sensation in the stomach, excessive sweating, cold and clammy hands. It is important to understand that these symptoms need medical attention and one should seek help from professionals,” says Dr Sunil Mittal, senior psychiatrist and chairperson CIMBS.
A total of 17.8% students reported having thoughts of suicide and 23.4% reported having impulsive and high risk behaviours. “There has been an alarming rise in the number of suicides amongst college students over the past two decades. These figures are a tip of the iceberg, as the number of students experiencing death wishes, suicidal ideation and hesitation attempts is even higher. Impulsive traits in personality can further worsen the risk for self-injurious behaviour. There is an urgent need to identify students with suicidal tendencies and to seek timely help for evaluation of underlying psychiatric problems, if any. There is also an impending need to promote life skills amongst college students for coping with stressful life events and prevention of suicide,” says Dr Shobhana Mittal, consultant psychiatrist at CIMBS.
Experimentation with drugs including cannabis, cocaine, opioids, stimulants, volatile substances was reported in 6% of the students. “With easier access to substances and mounting peer pressure, there is a growing trend in substance abuse amongst college students. Substance use at an early age can take a toll on the body as well as the mind, leading to other psychiatric disorders. Also, individuals with untreated depression or anxiety may resort to self- medicating with substance use. It is important to identify addictions at an early stage and take timely help,” says Mittal.