TY - JOUR
T1 - Suicidal behaviours and mental health disorders among students commencing college
AU - Ward, Caoimhe
AU - McLafferty, Margaret
AU - McLaughlin, Jonathon
AU - McHugh, Rachel
AU - McBride, Louise
AU - Brady, John
AU - Bjourson, Anthony J.
AU - Walsh, Colum P.
AU - O'Neill, Siobhan M.
AU - Murray, Elaine K.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021
PY - 2022/1
Y1 - 2022/1
N2 - The increase in psychological disorders and suicidal behaviour in students is a reason for growing concern. Some may start university with pre-existing problems, while others develop problems during this time. It is important to evaluate mental health and wellbeing early, identifying those at risk. The aim of this study was to compare mental health problems and help-seeking behaviour between students in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI). Whilst geographically proximate, the institutions span a cross-border region with distinct education and healthcare systems. First-year undergraduate students (n = 1828) were recruited in September 2019 as part of the World Mental Health International College Student Initiative. Suicidal behaviour, mental health and substance disorders were investigated using the World Mental Health- Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Prevalence of disorders was high, with more ROI students experiencing problems than NI students. Students were significantly more likely to experience mental health problems if they were female (p<0.001), non-heterosexual (p<0.0001), and over the age of 21 (p<0.0001). These findings show that many students are starting university with high levels of psychopathology and suicidal behaviour, highlighting the importance of early intervention which may need to be tailored to different student populations.
AB - The increase in psychological disorders and suicidal behaviour in students is a reason for growing concern. Some may start university with pre-existing problems, while others develop problems during this time. It is important to evaluate mental health and wellbeing early, identifying those at risk. The aim of this study was to compare mental health problems and help-seeking behaviour between students in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI). Whilst geographically proximate, the institutions span a cross-border region with distinct education and healthcare systems. First-year undergraduate students (n = 1828) were recruited in September 2019 as part of the World Mental Health International College Student Initiative. Suicidal behaviour, mental health and substance disorders were investigated using the World Mental Health- Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Prevalence of disorders was high, with more ROI students experiencing problems than NI students. Students were significantly more likely to experience mental health problems if they were female (p<0.001), non-heterosexual (p<0.0001), and over the age of 21 (p<0.0001). These findings show that many students are starting university with high levels of psychopathology and suicidal behaviour, highlighting the importance of early intervention which may need to be tailored to different student populations.
KW - Depression
KW - Help-seeking
KW - Student mental health
KW - Suicidal behaviour
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85120468331&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114314
DO - 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114314
M3 - Article
C2 - 34864232
AN - SCOPUS:85120468331
SN - 0165-1781
VL - 307
JO - Psychiatry Research
JF - Psychiatry Research
M1 - 114314
ER -
