Prevalence of mental health disorders among undergraduate university students in the United States: A review

The aim of the current review is to describe the prevalence and demographic correlates of mental health disorders among undergraduate university students in the United States. A search strategy was built and conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL to identify studies published between 2009 and 2019 on the prevalence of mental health disorders, as defined in the fourth and fifth editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, in undergraduate students in the United States. A total of 12 studies were included in the final data extraction. The highest prevalence rates were identified in eating disorders, which ranged from 19% to 48%, followed by compulsive disorders (2% to 12.27%), depression (22%), posttraumatic stress disorder (8%), and sleep disorders (9.4% to 36%). The identified prevalence of mental health disorders is high, and the subsequent impact on this population is worrying. There is an urgent need to develop strategies for early screening and management of mental health services in university settings.