By Anna Claire Burd; ROSES Ambassador
College is a transformative yet difficult time marked by academic pressures, social adjustments, financial stressors, and personal challenges. A 2022 survey taken by Healthy Minds found that 44% of students reportedly experienced symptoms of depression, 37% experienced symptoms of anxiety and 15% seriously considered suicide in the past year. College students experience various stressors that may contribute to the development of depression and anxiety, and it’s important to remain aware of them. These stressors can include environmental adjustments, academic comparison and performance, financial stress, interpersonal and social pressures, and genetic predisposition. Signs of depression and anxiety in college students include difficulty completing schoolwork, inability to focus, irregular sleeping and eating habits, irritability, loss of interest in activities, and thoughts of suicide or self-harm. The University of Maryland Counseling Center is an essential resource to all students experiencing difficulties, with a mission to “provide services and programs that are inclusive, and give voice to the varied experiences of students by providing a safe place to be heard, appreciated, and accepted.” The University offers counseling services through the counseling center, providing individual counseling, group counseling, anxiety and depression workshops, and online services to help combat these feelings and give students the help they need. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, visit the University Counseling Center https://counseling.umd.edu/cs or call (301) 314-7651 for help.