Academic Pressures

Most people in college (probably all, but I'm low-balling it) face significant academic pressures that can negatively impact health.  One of the most stressful lectures I had in my intro to neuroscience class was the one on the effects of stress on the brain and body!  Sometimes, chronic stress and low self-esteem combined with the life changes associated with college can result in mood disorders.  Many studies have examined mood disorders and stress in young adults (especially those in a university setting).  Additionally, the University of Pennsylvania, which is a mere 30 minutes from UD, has been experiencing a large amount of suicides in the past year, which seem to have some link to academic and other university-related pressures. 

Since mood orders and perceived stress during college have a large impact on women, I thought it might be helpful to share some of this.

http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/journal_of_college_student_development/v049/49.5.dixon.html
This is a study done by Dixon and Kerpius at Arizona State University in 2005, which examined links between depression, self-esteem, and mattering (as in, "do you matter?"). 

http://www.phillymag.com/articles/penn-suicides-madison-holleran/
This is a well-written article about the suicides at Penn that asks some thoughtful questions about stress and how young adults cope with transitioning from high school to college.  It's written by Steve Volk at Philly Magazine.

I will continue looking in the meantime into what other schools' suicide-prevention task forces have found to be helpful and unhelpful about schools' resources. 

If you are experiencing suicidal ideation, please talk to someone.  Mobile Delaware's number is 1-800-652-2929, and UD's Counseling Center is available at 302-831-2141.  You are worth it.