Marcos Santos / USP
One in four university students takes psychiatric medication, almost half have depressive symptoms and think that “life has no meaning”, and around 60% show a lack of interest in classes.
Data from a study carried out by the National Association of Psychology Students (ANEP), in partnership with the Order of Psychologists and the National Youth Council, reveal a worrying portrait of the Portuguese.
The research carried out with 1174 participants from 53 Higher Education institutions in mainland Portugal and the islands is published by Expresso and finds that these students face a variety of challenges.
The numbers reveal that the undergraduate students and women are those who present “significantly higher levels of psychological symptoms”, as the newspaper highlights.
Among the students surveyed, 46% have symptoms of depression39% suffer from , 31% from stress and 23% take psychiatric medication.
The latter is the most worrying, and most surprising, data for the president of ANEP, Filipa Santos, who tells Expresso that it is a reflection of the “growing inaccessibility of psychotherapy on the NHS [Serviço Nacional de Saúde]with long waiting lists and follow-ups that are too spaced out, leading to the use of medication in cases that could only be treated using psychotherapy”.
Lack of interest in classes and life
The study also found that 42% of students have felt that “life had no meaning”at least once.
In more serious situations, this type of idea “may be associated with thoughts about deathlack of prospects for the future and almost giving up on life”, analyzes the main author of the study, Patrícia Silva, who is a doctoral student at the University of Beira Interior.
But students also face obstacles at the academic level, with more than 80% indicating difficulties in “relax and get things done”and 9 out of 10 admitting that they suffer from academic pressure.
Nearly 60% also revealed lack of interest in classes.
These data reflect a “pedagogical system that privileges quick results, tight deadlines and competitivenessdevaluing continuous and innovative learning practices that could foster well-being and creativity”, analyzes Filipa Santos.
On the positive side, students revealed high levels of self-efficacy (56%) and academic performance (53%).
Given the results, the study “Mental Health in Portuguese Higher Education Institutions” suggests the creation of partnerships between Universities and the SNS to improve students’ access to answers.
Furthermore, it highlights that it is necessary to rethink pedagogical practices with the participation of students.
