Yikes! Here are some facts I came across on Ross’s “Behind Happy Faces” website regarding depression and mental illness among college kids. I’m thinking that maybe I won’t send David and Katherine off to school, as much as that sounds heavenly right now. Here are the facts, just the facts:
* One out of every five young people and one out of ever four college students or adults suffers from some form of diagnosable mental illness.
* About 19 precent of young people contemplate or attempt suicide each year.

* Suicide is the third leading cause of death among people ages 15-24, and the second leading cause of death in college students ages 20-24.
* Over 66 percent of young people with a substance use disorder have a co-occurring mental health problem.
* Teens diagnosed with depression are five times more likely to attempt suicide than adults.
* Over two-thirds of young people do not talk about or seek help for mental health problems.
* 44 percent of American college students reported feeling symptoms of depression.
* From 1980 to 1986, the suicide rate for African-American males ages 15-19 increased more than 100 percent.
* Four out of every five young people that contemplate or attempt suicide exhibit clear warning signs.
* 80-90 percent of people that seek the necessary form of mental health treatment can function the way they used to.
* Stereotypes are one of the largest barriers preventing young people from seeking the help they need.
* An estimated 5 million young females suffer from eating disorders each year, and eating disorders are the deadliest mental illness, claiming more lives than any other illness.