Recognizing Students in Distress

It’s common for college students to experience considerable personal and school-related stress. In an attempt to juggle the demands of college and their personal lives, sometimes students may act out in self-destructive ways and aggressively. Strong feelings of anger, depression and anxiety are common. Sometimes an additional issue or stressor can precipitate a crisis.

By the Numbers

The high rates of alcohol, substance use and mental health disorders, suicide, violence, and behavior-related morbidity and mortality in American Indian and Alaska Native communities continue to be disproportionately higher than the rest of the U.S. population. 

Below are key statistics defining the health disparities experienced by the American Indian and Alaska Native population.

• Disproportionately higher rates of mental health problems
• Report serious psychological distress, 2.5 times more than the general population
• Highest rates of suicide of any minority group within the U.S. and rates are increasing since 2003
• High rates of substance use disorder of both illicit drugs and alcohol use

Other common stressors specific to college students include:

• Isolation and loneliness
• Death of a loved one
• Breakup of an intimate relationship
• Serious illness
• Feelings of rejection by family
• Academic pressure or failure
• Identity confusion
• Cultural oppression/discrimination
• Low motivation or inability to establish goals
• Outside work pressures
• Parenting responsibility