Going to college isn't just challenging academically - it can be emotionally difficult as well.

About 75 percent of people who experience mental disorders have their first onset shortly before or between the ages of 18-22, according to Daniel Eisenberg, an assistant professor in the School of Public Health.

In light of the prevalence of mental disorders among college-aged students, the fifth annual Depression on College Campuses Conference was held yesterday in Rackham Auditorium. The conference brought together educators, administrators, researchers and students from across the country to explore issues surrounding depression and examine ways to treat and prevent it.

John Greden, executive director of the University's Depression Center, introduced the conference speakers, who explored depression on college campuses. Opening speaker Aimee Belisle, a member of the American Psychological Association's Presidential Task Force on Mental Health on College Campuses, talked about her own struggles with depression. Other speakers, like Ben Locke, the center's assistant director for research, and Dennis Heitzmann, the director of counseling and psychological services at Penn State University discussed the importance of integrating research nationwide.

Suicidal tendencies are common among college students, said Richard Shadick, director of Pace University's counseling cente, who spoke yesterday.

Shadick said that 55 percent of college students have had suicidal thoughts.

These suicidal thoughts were found to last only a short amount of time but were often very strong, as evidenced by the 14 percent of students who attempt suicide each year, Shadick said.

The University's office of Counseling and Psychological Services helps students suffering from the stresses associated with student life.

"The top five reasons people come to CAPS are depression, anxiety, self-esteem, relationship issues and academic problems," CAPS Associate Director Victoria Hays said.

Hays said 600 out of 3,000 students that came into the clinic last year said they have suicidal thoughts.

CAPS has been criticized for the time students have to wait for University counseling.

Hays said the time it takes for a student to receive counseling is situational. Wait time depends on the time of year, the student's specific needs and staffing levels.

When a student walks in to get treatment, he or she fills out a consent form. On that form, the student can decide to get crisis treatment that day. Hays said there is always staff available for crisis intervention when the facility is open.

This year, CAPS received additional funding to hire staff that helped decrease students' waiting time.

Only 10 percent of students who seek treatment are referred to a psychiatrist; most students go to a psychologist.

In fall of 2005, Daniel Eisenberg, an assistant professor in the University's School of Public Health, led a pilot research program on University students that examined the accessibility of psychological aid and the type of person who sought it.

The pilot study, titled "Healthy Minds: A New National Study of Student Mental Health," randomly selected 5,021 University students, including a roughly equal amount of undergraduate and graduate students.

The study analyzed mental health measures like depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, self-injury and eating disorders. Fifteen percent of Michigan undergraduate students scored high in depression and anxiety, and 2.5 percent had suicidal thoughts.

Students living with their parents and students with a low-income background were found to be most likely to have suicidal thoughts.