Subpopulations at Greater Risk
Subpopulations of students may be at greater risk of mental health concerns.
It has been suggested that specific subpopulations of college students might be at greater risk of mental health concerns and suicide behavior.
Examples
- Student Athletes
- Student athletes are at risk for a variety of physical and mental health problems, including depression (Etzel, Watson, Visek, & Maniar, 2006). Research suggests that 10% of student-athletes struggle with issues serious enough to need counseling (Ferrante, Etzel, & Lantz, 1996; Watson, 2006).
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Students
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender students have been suggested by some researchers to face greater risk of mental health concerns during college than their heterosexual counterparts. Although consistent, reliable, and accurate data about suicide and GLBT students are scarce (Muehrer, 1995), researchers have found higher rates of suicide among GLBT college students (Westefeld, Maples, Buford, & Taylor, 2001). These same researchers suggest that prejudice, loneliness, and isolation experienced by GLBT students may be the factors that put them at risk.
- International Students
- International students may be at greater risk of specific mental health stressors such as isolation, academic stress, and financial pressures (Mori, 2000). Additionally, international students may be less likely than domestic students to seek professional psychological help due to greater stigma (SPRC, 2004).
- Racial and Ethnic Minority Students
- Racial and ethnic minority students are believed to be at risk for mental health difficulties due to stresses from factors including racism, isolation, and low SES (Davidson, Yakushka, & Sanford-Martens, 2004).
- Men
- Men also are less likely to seek psychological help and are more likely to hold negative attitudes toward help seeking (Komiya, Good, & Sherrod, 2000). Men are also more likely than women to complete a suicide attempt (Kadison & DiGeronimo, 2004).
- Creative Students
- Creative students encompass those students who identify strongly with the arts, including music, theatre, and design. While somewhat dated, Domino (1988) suggested the creative student is at risk of mental health concerns.
Student Health Services
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Anna M. Gove Student Health Center, 107 Gray Drive 27412
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
VOICE 336.334.5340
FAX 336.334.5343
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Anna M. Gove Student Health Center, 107 Gray Drive 27412
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
VOICE 336.334.5340
FAX 336.334.5343