Graduate Students Face Feelings of Depression: Introduction

By Sonia Acosta | 13 December 2007 | Introduction | Data: Mental Health Survey | Audio Slideshow: Depression in Graduate Students

Less than 50 percent of those who enter graduate school complete their advanced degree. According to the American Society for Suicide Prevention, graduate students are at a higher risk of depression and suicide than are undergraduate students.

Graduate students tend to be highly goal-oriented and excessive in their focus on achievement. They also tend to have immense workloads in addition to interpersonal and life transition stressors, financial concerns, employment problems and time constraints.

They often work alone for long hours, do not get enough sleep and neglect their general health all in the name of school work.

All of these factors can cause graduate students to feel isolated from friends and family, making them prone to feelings of depression.

 

Photo: UF Law Student, Pedro Pavon

Depression in Graduate Students

University of Florida graduate students Milijana Ugrenovic, Brandon Hersh, Shannon McAleenan and law student Pedro Pavon share their struggles with graduate school, long hours and endless school work away from friends, family and social activities through words and pictures.

> See the audio slideshow

Graphic: Mental Health Survey FunnelChart

Mental Health Survey

Examine the general findings of a graduate student mental health survey conducted by UC Berkeley in 2004 to see graduate students' mental health needs, their awareness of campus mental health resources, and their satisfaction with these services.

> See the chart