- Rates of mental illness among college students are rising,
according to research by John Guthman, PhD, a clinical
psychologist at Hofstra University. He and colleagues examined
counseling records from 3,256 college students who were screened
for mental disorders, suicidal thoughts and self-injurious
behavior between 1997 and 2009. The researchers found that 96
percent of students who sought counseling in 2009 were diagnosed
with a mental disorder, compared with 93 percent in 1998. Also,
the percentage of students with moderate to severe depression
went up from 34 percent to 41 percent. These upticks might be
due to more students entering college with pre-existing mental
health problems, Guthman said. - A simple online intervention
could help stave off depression, according to research by Acacia
Parks, PhD, a psychology professor at Reed College. After six
weeks of online exercises designed to evoke pleasure, engagement
and meaning, such as writing to a loved one, 661 mildly
depressed self-help seekers repor