78. One-third of college freshmen have anxiety or depression
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Starting college is a big change for teenagers, but a new study published in the journal BMJ Open shows that many struggle with mental health once they get to school. Researchers surveyed almost 1,700 first-year undergraduates at a Canadian university. Six months after starting college, 37 percent had anxiety symptoms and 33 percent experienced depressive symptoms. The students who used illegal drugs had greater odds of developing high levels of anxiety or depression. The good news is that the students who were more socially active tended to have better mental health.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
