Figure 5: Dealing with anxiety and depression   Male students across year in

college

70

66

64

60

59

50

40

37 35

(%)

30

24

20

13

12

10

9

9

5

6

0

Sort out alone

Try to ignore

Take drugs/

Do nothing

get drunk

1st yr 

2nd yr 

3rd yr plus

If students wanted to talk to someone about feeling very anxious or

depressed there were two main sources used   their social networks and

professional services.  For the majority of students their social networks of

friends, parents and relatives were the people to whom they would turn for

help.  The use of professional services such as doctor, counsellor, lecturer,

clergy, or help line were mentioned only by a minority of students (Table 7). 

By far the most important contact for undergraduate students was a friend

their own age with 83% saying they would discuss with friends feelings of

anxiety and depression (Table 7). Female students were more likely to use

their social network of friends, parents or other relatives than males.  A

higher proportion of males in comparison to females would not talk to

anyone. First year students were less likely to want to talk to anyone and

this was especially the case for first year males where 15% indicated that

they would not talk to anyone. Third year males, in comparison to their first

year male counterparts, were more likely to talk to a doctor (11% vs 4%) and

first year males were more likely to discuss with parents.

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