Post-2016 spike: Depression symptoms rise among U.S. college students, especially among women and minorities

A large analysis of 560,000 students from 450 colleges (Healthy Minds Study, 2007–2022) shows depression symptoms increased across all PHQ-9 items, with the steepest rise after 2016 and the average nearing moderate depression by 2022. Suicidal ideation rose the most; increases were larger among women, intersex and racial minority students and those under financial stress. Cognitive symptoms rose more uniformly across groups, while physical symptoms grew more in minority groups. The study notes cross-sectional, self-reported data and calls for targeted campus suicide prevention and further exploration of macro-level drivers behind youth distress.