MENTAL HEALTH IN COLLEGE STUDENTS: SUICIDAL BEHAVIORS AND WELL-BEING AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH A MEASURE OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Resumen

Recently, innovative research has explored the relationship between academic achievement and mental health related variables. The present study was conducted in order to assess the relationship between high school grade point average in a sample of Mexican college students from health-related schools. The sample consisted of 381 participants who answered the Suicidal Risks Inventory (IRIS) and the Well-being Scale of Ryff. Results show that 12% of students have had at least one attempt of taking their lives. High school grade point average is positively correlated with well-being and negatively correlated with suicidal attempts and ideation. It was not medical students who showed more at risks behaviors, but optometry students, as well as non-heterosexual students. Authors conclude that further research should be made in order to address this serious issue in youth.