Cultural Identity Resources

Students from diverse backgrounds may face a variety of challenges during their college years. While problems vary, the most common concerns include:

Academic problems: frequent absences, failure to complete assignments, difficulty concentrating, and declining grades.
Relationship difficulties: Conflicts with partners, friends, parents, and professors
Engaging in risky behaviors: alcohol or drug use, risky sexual behaviors, violence
Isolation: Feelings of isolation from peers, family, spiritual, or religious community

African-American Students
In general, African-Americans have had some of the lowest suicide rates in the United States. However, recent statistics indicate that the suicide rate for African-American college age men has nearly doubled.

Common risk factors for suicide among African-American students include:

Academic Problems
Impulsivity or aggression
Experienced a recent loss
Experiences with prejudice, racism, and/or discrimination
Access to firearms or other lethal means
Relationship problems
A family history of depression and/or suicide

*Interesting Fact: Nearly 19% of students who attended Cabrini’s Counseling and Psychological Services during the 2015-16 academic year identified as African American.

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Asian-American Students
Asian-American college students have some of the highest rates of suicide among their peers.

Research shows that Asian-American students tend to underutilized mental health services due to stigma and shame.

Common risk factors for suicide among Asian-American students:

Feeling rejected by parents
Conflicts with family members, particularly parents
History of physical or sexual abuse
Family history of depression and/or suicide
Financial concerns
Values conflict
Lack of emotional expression
Impulsivity or aggression
Access to firearms or other legal means

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Latino/Latina Students
Latina college students report some of the highest rates of depression among their peers. Recent studies suggest that Latino students are at an increased risk for attempting suicide in comparison to other cultural groups.

Puerto Ricans in particular have shown an increased rate of suicide in comparison to other Latino groups.

Common risk factors for suicide among Latino/Latina students include:

Poverty
Underemployment
A recent loss (e.g., death or break-up)
Unwillingness to seek mental health services
Relationship problems (i.e., conflicts with family or friends)
History of abuse
Family history of depression and/or suicide

*Interesting Fact: Nearly 7% of students who attended Cabrini’s Counseling and Psychological Services during the 2015-16 academic year were from Latino backgrounds.

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Muslim Students
College is a time of great pressure and responsibility. As such, students may experience a variety of feelings related to being overwhelmed.

Muslim students who experience mental health concerns may be hesitant to seek help due to fear of stigma. Concerns over confidentiality may also be a factor into their reluctance to seek help.

Common risk factors for suicide among Muslim students include:

A history of abuse
Fears of legal consequences for seeking help
Experiences with prejudice
A recent loss
A family history of depression and/or suicide
Values conflict

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Unique Identity Resources

First Generation Students
First Generation students are the first in their family to attend a 4-year college.

While first generation students come to college with many strengths, they may also face some challenges. Sometimes these challenges may lead to feeling depressed or anxious.

Common concerns among first generation students include:
Financial concerns

Lack of understanding from family about academics and college life
Lack of family support
A family history of depression and/or suicide
Family history of depression and/or suicide

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Foster Care Students
College students with foster care histories are at an increased risk for depression and suicide. In addition, research shows that foster care youth are reluctant to seek help. Students with previous foster care histories may struggle with anxiety, trauma, and substance abuse. Common risk factors for suicide among students previously involved with the foster care system include:

• Depression
• History of child abuse and neglect
• Mental disorder or substance abuse in a parent or other household member
• Bullying
• Self-injury
• Isolation

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LGBTQ Students
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) students are at an increased risk for suicide. Research suggests that suicide is the third leading cause of death among students within the LGBTQ community.

In 2013, approximately 24% of LGBTQ college students thought about attempting suicide. Further, LGBTQ individuals are almost three times more likely than others to experience a mental illness such as depression or anxiety.

Common risk factors for suicide among LGBTQ students:

History of abuse
Family history of depression and/or suicide
Stigma concerning their sexuality
Poor family support
Lack of family acceptance regarding their sexuality
Academic problems
Feelings of isolation
Physical and/or verbal harassment
Navigating the coming out process
Experiences with prejudice, discrimination, and stigma

*Interesting Fact: Nearly 9% of students who attended Cabrini’s Counseling and Psychological Services during the 2015-16 academic year identified within the LGBTQ community.

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Students with Disabilities
Students with physical, psychiatric or intellectual disabilities face many challenges when they enroll in college.

In addition to having to navigate a new world, students with disabilities often face challenges involving accessing accommodations, finding a support network, and living without their caretakers.

Common risk factors for suicide among students with disabilities:

Denial of disability
Conflict with friends or peers
A recent loss
Having made a previous suicide attempt
A family history of depression and/or suicide
Belief that they will achieve full health or ability despite what doctors say

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Undocumented and DACA Students
Students who are undocumented or under DACA status report some of the highest rates of anxiety in comparison to same-aged peers. Common concerns include uncertainty over their future, fear of being detained and deported, and social stigma about being undocumented. Studies have shown that undocumented students are at an increased risk for depression and suicidal behavior. Common risks factors for suicide among undocumented students include:

Age at immigration
History of trauma
Conflict between cultural and societal norms
Isolation
Family problems
Generational status
Level of education

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Veteran Students
The college experience poses challenges unique to Veteran students. Higher rates of health-risk behaviors and psychological disorders, when compared to their college peers, make attaining a college degree more difficult. Common risk factors for the Veteran population are:

Substance abuse
Post-Traumatic Stress
Depression
Social Isolation
Lack of Structured Environment

There are approximately 1 million Vets currently enrolled in higher education.

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