By R. Ryan S Patel DO, FAPA OSU-CCS Psychiatrist
About 1 in 16 individuals experienced depression in a given year(1), impacting both men and women.
A recent survey of about 95,000 college students had interesting information about men and depression (2).
What did the study involve? (2)
- 95,761 college students across 137 colleges and Universities across the United States.
- 91% of the students were 18 to 29 years old.
- This is a 30 minute survey asking a variety of questions regarding health, health related lifestyle, etc.
- This also included questions about depression, overwhelming anxiety, receiving treatment, and suicidal ideation.
- Survey has been conducted over several years.
What did the results show?
Similar percentage of male and female college students (30.8, 38.8%) reported feeling so depressed that they could not function in the past 12 months.
Similar percentage of males and females reported seriously considering suicide in the past 12 months (8.5, 9.6%).
However, fewer male college students reported getting treatment for depression than female college students (8.7 % male vs. 15.6% female).
Why might this be the case?
There are several possibilities. Some of them include:
- Men can experience depression differently (3) than women and men may be more likely to feel very tired and irritable, and lose interest in their work, family, or hobbies, sleep difficulties as a result of depression (4).
- Many men do not recognize, acknowledge, or seek help for their depression (4).
- 3/4 of suicides in the United States are men (5).
- Men tend to under utilize health care overall than women; and this may play a role in men dying sooner than women on average (5).
What is being done about men’s mental health on campus?
Increasing awareness might help. Click here to learn more about men’s health disparities.
What is being done to increase awareness about Men and mental health?
- At OSU, a series of events is being spearheaded by my colleague, Dr Kipp Pietrantonio, in collaboration with OSU Office of Student Life’s Counseling and Consultation Services and multiple campus partners.
- These events are aimed at increasing awareness of men and mental health, the (Men+November = Movember), Mo-vember Men’s mental health campaign, occurring during the month of November.
- Know the signs, and encourage others you know to reach out to men about their health. If you are concerned, encourage them to seek help.
Are there any other helpful resources?
Anonymous Mental health screening.
Suicide screening prevention.
Movember
Men’s mental health at National Institute of Mental Health
Movember National Men’s Health Campaign
Article about how depression might impact men differently.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to be informative only. It is advised that you check with your own physician/mental health provider before implementing any changes. With this article, the author is not rendering medical advice, nor diagnosing, prescribing, or treating any condition, or injury; and therefore claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or injury caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the material presented.
References:
- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/prevalence/major-depression-among-adults.shtml
- American College Health Association. American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment II: Reference Group Executive Summary Spring 2016. Hanover, MD: American College Health Association; 2016.
- https://u.osu.edu/emotionalfitness/2015/11/
- http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data_access/Vitalstatsonline.htm
- https://us.movember.com/programs/cause