Akhilanand Persaud Raghunandan, Maritza Oliva Perez*, Nancy Sitchao Suarez and Maria Sheena Villareal

College of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Guyana, Guyana

*Corresponding Author: Maritza Oliva Perez, College of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Guyana, Guyana.

Received: September 18, 2024; Published: October 10, 2024

Abstract

In Guyana, mental health issues are highly prevalent, underscoring the importance of identifying college students at a higher risk during their academic years. This research aimed to assess the mental health of undergraduate students at the University of Guyana School of Medicine utilizing the Depression, Anxiety and Stress (DASS-21) scale. Additionally, students were encouraged to provide insights into their support needs to enhance psychological well-being. A convenience sample of 198 students, aged 18-35, completed an online survey between October and December 2022, with 79.3% being female. The findings revealed a substantial proportion of students displaying symptoms of anxiety (70%), depression (68%) and stress (50%). Female students exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of depression (Chi-square test). Students in their early academic years experienced elevated rates of depression, anxiety and stress. Approximately 64% of participants expressed a need for support to enhance their well-being. Notably, those seeking professional assistance had significantly higher levels of depression, while those requesting academic guidance reported higher levels of anxiety and stress. Thematic analysis identified four key themes explaining reasons for seeking support: sense of inadequacy, feeling overwhelmed, experiencing high family pressure, and depression. The study recommended tailored support programs addressing specific mental health issues to promote student well-being.

 Keywords: Mental Health; College Students; Support Needs; Depression

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Citation

Citation: Maritza Oliva Perez., et al. “Assessing the Mental Health and Perceived Support Needs of College Students: A Mixed Method Approach”.Acta Scientific Medical Sciences 8.11 (2024): 49-58.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2024 Maritza Oliva Perez., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.