Depressive symptoms in first year students at a rural South African University

The rate of depressive illness in university students is currently regarded as being higher than the general population prevalence. While some students are insightful into the mental health issues they are facing and are voicing their concerns regarding the need for intervention services, many others are not wholly aware of the significance of their emotional states within the broader context of mental health problems.

A sample of 483 undergraduate first-year Psychology students at a rural-based university in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa was administered the University Student Depression Inventory (USDI). Reported symptom prevalence was examined for the overall sample as well as gender, rural/urban background, and age subgroups.

Symptoms of hopelessness, loss of interest, low self-esteem and low mood were reported in over one-fifth of the participants, with 20.3% questioning whether life is worth living. Seven percent of participants admitted having had thoughts of suicide.

The study was conducted at one university only. Also, the investigation relied on self-reports of depressive symptoms.

The findings raise concern about the extent to which students' depressive symptoms affect their quality of life and their academic performance. The finding that 7% of the sample admitted to having thoughts of suicide is worrying and reinforces students' calls for mental health support on their university campuses.