The increasing number of studies concerning mental health and risk behavior among higher education students
alerts us to the relevance of the issue. By introducing the “mental health profile”, the discussion here seeks to
contribute to the development of programs and actions which suit the real needs of the academic population of IPC.
While the data point to a level of mental health that is higher than that of the general population, about one third of
the students probably suffer from emotional disorders. This state of affairs should not be ignored, since some
authors are of the opinion that the tendency is for this number to rise (Andrews & Wilding, 2004; Castillo &
Schwartz, 2013; Eisenberg et al., 2007; Fisher & Hood, 1987). Analysis of the HADS instrument shows that only a
minority had a high probability of suffering from anxiety and mood disorders. One factor which is a possible
explanation for the observed levels of acute depression in the sample is that the majority of the respondents were
female. In truth, the literature surveyed shows that depression affects primarily women (Noorden et al. 2010) and
female students have an increased probability of suffering a major depressive episode than their male counterparts
(Eisenberg et al., 2007; You, Merritt, & Conner, 2009). According to this scenario, it is necessary to alert and inform
students from the IPC about the risks arising from these disorders, help to identify the characteristic symptoms,
stimulate the endorsement in the services of psychological support of the institution and eventually promote
programs directed to the themes of anxiety and depression. Regarding risk behaviors, it was possible to ascertain
that the vast majority consumed alcohol within the last 30 days, also being present episodes of binge drinking in
academic parties. These data are not framed in scenario as worrying as the one Prendergrast (1994) observed. In
addition, it is possible to assert that the most consumed drink was beer, according to what was also observed in other
studies (Santos et al., 2009; Santos, 2011). Although the displayed data are not as alarming as the other stated
studies, there is evidence that the most common disorders within a university context are the disorders related to
alcohol consumption (Blanco et al, 2008; O'Malley & Johnston, 2002). As the excessive alcohol consumption is
frequently associated to severe consequences (Lewis et al., 2010), like mental health problems (e.g. anxiety and
depression) (Midanik, Tam, & Weisner, 2007; Tomlinson, Cummins, & Brown, 2013), and other risk behaviors
(Pedrelli et al., 2010), it is also important to this population actions of prevention relative to the excessive
consumption of alcohol (binge drinking) with special attention in the context of academic parties. Relatively to
drugs consumption, the vast majority of students did not consume them in the last 30 days. Nevertheless, marijuana
was the most used drug by youngsters, as initially predicted by the WHO (World Health Organization) (2009) and
by other studies (Calado, 2011; Nicholi, 1983). Since the consumption of marijuana is associated with the
consumption of other illicit drugs (Fergusson et al., 2002), several times being the “opening gate” to the world of
drugs (APA, 2002), the approach to this theme in seminars, lectures or other clarification actions, would perhaps be
welcomed. The majority of students are also sexually active, data which also meets other investigations (McCave,
Chertok, Winter, & Haile, 2013). According to Futterman (2005) about one third of young students are infected with
HIV without knowing. In this study it was verified that about 70% has not taken the test yet. Accordingly,
campaigns which aim at the promotion of safe sexual behavior, sensitizing to the HIV screening, become pertinent.
Risk behavior adopted by students is co-related with their mental health. A rise in the consumption of tranquilizers
and/or barbiturates without a prescription was responsible for the rise in the total psychopathology evaluated,
evidenced by the students. A study about the prevalence of the consumption of these substances without a
prescription, in 10.904 students of high education, reported a prevalence of consume in 4.5% of these students
(McCabe, 2005), percentage not much different from the one found in this study. This situation could be due to the
fact that 7% of students are receiving psychological and/or psychiatrist support in the present time, just like 20.7%
have received this type of support in the past, where this type of substances could have been prescribed in that time.
As the consumption of medication without a prescription with the purpose of diminishing the present
symptomatology is having the inverse effect, it becomes crucial to sensitize and prevent the consumption of this
type of substance without a prescription, through lectures or seminars, alerting to the adverse effects arising from
this risk behavior. The physical inactivity is also common among youngsters from the IPC. These data are congruent
with other studies which suggest that the practice of physical activity decreases in adulthood and that there are
18 Maria Sarmento / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 191 ( 2015 ) 12 – 20
declines of physical activity when young people get in higher education (Kwan, Cairney, Faulkner, &
Pullenayegum, 2012). It is known that the physical inactivity is associated with mental health problems (NguyenMichel
et al., 2006). An increase in the physical activity as proved to decrease the levels of psychopathology in all
the evaluated parameters, so it is urgent for the IPC to create incentives to the regular practice, which could be
conducted through specific promotion projects, among which: dance classes or outdoors gymnastics, free access to
sporting venues (swimming pools, gyms), promotion of initiatives such as inter-degree matches of a wide variety of
sports (football, rugby, volleyball matches, etc), hikes, biking, in other words, activities which make the students
“move”.
The creation of the “mental health profile” by characterizing and co-relating the risk factors and the mental health
of a certain population could provide a more adequate and embracing program which would help in the general
improvement of the mental health of the higher education student. One of the evident limitations of this tool lies on
the fact that it needs to be regularly updated so that it can identify the real needs of the student population, the object
of analysis. Only by doing that, will it be possible to point to actions which help solving this problem. The
generalization of the recommendations should be taken into consideration by the fact that details such as the
cultural, racial and religious diversity, the economic status of the family of origin, gender, distance from the
household, among others, can significantly influence the actions to take. Nevertheless, it would be interesting if the
Campus could regularly promote actions (lectures, seminars, campaigns, activities/initiatives) in order to diminish
the present risk behaviors, preventing mental health problems, acting on the specific causes of each reality, based on
its own “mental health profile”. All agents with responsibility in high education, whether they are teachers, student
union representatives, psychologists, health professionals, responsible of government organizations, should be
constituted as part of the solution to a health problem which regards everyone.