53% of college students report mental health diagnosis: Study

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University of Michigan’s annual Healthy Minds Study surveyed 84,735 students from 135 U.S. colleges and universities during the 2024-2025 academic year. The results offer a detailed snapshot of student behavioral health, service and overall well-being. 

Here are seven key findings:

  1. Thirty-seven percent of students screened positive for moderate or severe depression symptoms. 
  1. Thirty-two percent of students met the criteria for moderate or severe anxiety. 
  1. Eleven percent reported suicidal thoughts in the past year, and 25% reported nonsuicidal  self injury. 
  1. Fifty-three percent had been diagnosed with a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. 
  1. Thirty-seven percent received therapy or counseling in the past year, and 30% used psychiatric medication in the past year. 
  1. Sixty percent of students who screened positive for depression and anxiety received therapy and/or psychiatric medication. 
  1. Thirty-six percent achieved positive mental health, defined by a score of 48 or higher on the “Flourishing Scale,” an eight-item summary measure of self-perceived success in areas including relationships, self-esteem, purpose and optimism.

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