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UF Survey Shows Students Are Sad, Overwhelmed

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By ADAM EMERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 7, 2008

In its first ever survey of its students' health, the University of Florida has learned that most feel overwhelmed, one-fifth suffered injuries after drinking alcohol, one-third refrained from sex in the previous year and many have seriously considered suicide.

The responses are documented among many others in UF's recently released Healthy Gators Student Survey Report, which the university devised to come up with better health initiatives.

They'll have plenty of work to do. The responses, drawn from 2,500 randomly selected students, are revealing and sometimes shocking. Health experts queried students on 10 areas, including mental health, sexual health, alcohol use, and nutrition and weight.

Some answers:

• 88 percent felt overwhelmed by all they had to do.

• 25 percent said stress interfered with academic performance.

• 66 percent felt "very sad."

• 11 percent said they have intentionally cut, burned, bruised or otherwise hurt themselves, with 4 percent doing so in the past year.

• 34 percent said they had no sexual partners in the past 12 months; 42 percent said they had only one.

• 20 percent reported injuries after drinking.

• 7 percent said they were sexually touched against their will in the last 12 months.

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285.

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