High Prevalence of Mood Disorders Among University Students: A Call for Mental Health Initiatives

The prevalence of mood disorders (MDs) among students, both from health and non-health fields, at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is alarmingly high. This revelation has come forth from a recent cross-sectional study, the findings of which shed light on the pressing matter of mental well-being among university students worldwide.

Mood Disorders: A Global Concern

Whether it's a health profession student or a non-health profession student, the prevalence of MDs is strikingly high. The study, which encompassed 391 students, used the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 items (DASS-21) to estimate self-reported prevalence and screen for bipolar disorder (BD), depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress. Findings revealed that 24.9% of health profession students and 22.8% of non-health profession students reported MDs. A more staggering statistic was the prevalence of BD - affecting 35.3% of health profession students and 47.4% of non-health students.

Depression and Anxiety: The Silent Epidemics

While the difference in the prevalence of BD between the two groups of students was not statistically significant, the study observed a pattern in the severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Severe depressive symptoms were more common among non-health students, while severe anxiety symptoms were more prevalent among health profession students. Stress levels were slightly higher among students involved in health-related studies. Top reported MDs included major depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), dysthymia, and BD.

Addressing the Mental Health Crisis

These findings highlight the urgent need for strategies promoting mental well-being and managing MDs in the student population. The escalating rates of depression and anxiety disorders contribute significantly to the global burden of disease. The study underscores the importance of prevention programs such as the Blues Program, TEAMS, Penn Resiliency Program, Happy Lessons, and Smile Program. The story of Esther Oladejo, a university student who battled depression and benefited from the Blues Program, serves as a testament to the value of such initiatives. The article further emphasizes the need for more research to identify effective strategies for preventing depression, thereby preventing it from becoming a debilitating chronic condition.

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