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Characteristics of mental health conditions
What are the characteristics of students with mental health conditions?
The incidence of mental health conditions is highest in the 18 - 24 year age group, making this a significant category of disability for students at university. (Report from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services Mental health and well being: profile of adults 1997 
PDF 892 KB ).
This is the age group of many students attending tertiary studies, and the age where mental illness may be undiagnosed or just recently diagnosed. Students with psychiatric disabilities are entitled to reasonable academic accommodations under the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) and the Disability Standards for Education (2005).
Causes might include:
- life changes due to study pressures
- transition from secondary to tertiary education
- living away from home
- loss of familiar personal relationships and having to establish new ones
- substance abuse.
These conditions may be temporary or may become permanent and are likely to occur at times of increased stress. The mental illness may be undiagnosed or just recently diagnosed and the severity of the illness can fluctuate.
However, inclusive teaching and effective accommodations will enable these students to have equal access to academic courses and activities. Their presence also contributes to the diversity of life in the student population.
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