Alarming Rise in Clinical Depression Among University Students During COVID-19, Study Finds
A multi-institutional research team from Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, and the University of California, San Diego, has uncovered distressing statistics regarding the mental health of university students amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Their study shows that 61% of surveyed students are at risk of clinical depression, a rate twice as high as before the pandemic.
Shifts in lifestyle habits contribute to increased depression risk among students
The study, which analyzed data from 682 college students, highlights significant disruptions in physical activity, sleep, and social contact during the pandemic. These changes in lifestyle habits have led to a higher risk of depression among students. The researchers observed a decrease in mental well-being as the pandemic progressed, with 2020 being particularly challenging for students compared to previous cohorts.
Resumption of physical activity doesn’t automatically improve mental health
Despite the resumption of physical activity during the early summer, the study found no automatic improvement in students’ mental well-being. Reduction in physical activity was identified as a leading risk factor for decreased mental health. The researchers conducted a short intervention to incentivize exercise among a group of individuals, but it did not significantly impact their mental health. This outcome has opened avenues for further research into the complex relationship between physical activity and mental well-being.
The findings shed light on the profound impact of COVID-19 on the mental well-being of college students, a particularly vulnerable population. The study’s senior author, Silvia Saccardo, emphasized the urgent need to address the mental health crisis among young adults, especially college students, and the importance of ongoing research in this area.
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