full report: pdf | html | word
Berkeley, CA – A new study by graduate researchers and staff at UC Berkeley suggests that depression and other forms of mental distress are a serious problem for students in graduate school and professional programs (i.e. medical, law, and business schools).
The Berkeley study, which included over 3100 graduate and professional students at UC Berkeley, is the first of its kind at the university. The survey results are discussed in a report released today by the Berkeley Mental Health Task Force, a graduate student group advancing mental health as a campus priority.
Nearly half of all survey respondents (45%) reported an emotional or stress-related problem that significantly impacted their academic performance or well-being. 67% reported that they have felt hopeless at times, 95% have felt overwhelmed, and 54% have felt so depressed that it was difficult to function.
10% reported that they had seriously considered suicide, and ~1 in 200 respondents reported that they had attempted suicide at least once in the last 12 months...
an excellent article appeared in the 10 december 2004 edition of the chronicle of higher education. it's a clear, urgent call for universities to step up efforts to address student mental health.
a report of the 2004 graduate mental health survey-- in which all UC Berkeley graduate and professional students were invited to participate-- will be released next week at this web site. check back on december 8th for the downloadable report.
the next *meeting* of the mhtf will be:
friday, december 3rd
9-10 am
cafe milano, bancroft ave
across from campus
if you cannot attend, please email temina to provide advance input on the revised survey report & other matters.
- review the revised survey report
- review cover letter & press release
- discuss report distribution
- updates on media planning
- updates from cps advisory committee
- blog use?