Characteristics and clinical needs of young tertiary students attending a specialist mood disorders clinic

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of tertiary students and non-students attending a specialist clinic for severe mood disorders. Method: Medical record audit of clients discharged from the Youth Mood Clinic (YMC). Data extracted included depressive symptomatology, suicidal ideation, self-harm, suicide attempt, tertiary education engagement, drop-out and deferral. Results: Data from 131 clients (M age = 19.58 years, SD = 2.66) were analysed, including 46 tertiary students. Relative to non-students, at intake, tertiary students reported more severe depressive symptomatology (d = 0.43). They were more likely to experience suicidal ideation at intake (V = 0.23), and during t..