Avaliação de sinais e sintomas de ansiedade e depressão em acadêmicos dos cursos presenciais de graduação de uma universidade pública.

Abstract

The beginning of university life is marked by major changes in the student’s life, affecting all aspects of their routine and lifestyle, as the job marked becomes increasingly competitive, where only the most qualified conquer their space in this environment. However, the demands inherent to graduation and the little or no support provided by the educational institution to these individuals can result in the emergence of anxiety and depression. The objective this work was to investigate the signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety in students of courses at a public university. Therefore, the study has a descriptive, exploratory character, with a qualitative and quantitative approach. Through the application of the Beck Inventory Questionnaire for Anxiety and Depression, where the mental impairment of part of the students was verified. The results obtained showed that 147 (69,7%) are women and 166 (78,7%) of the students are aged between 18 and 23 years, making it evident that the academic community is composed of young and predominantly female individuals. Regarding the level of anxiety, it was observed that among the undergraduate courses, the Letters course has 25 (11,8%) students, while in the Bachelor’s degree Nursing has 16 (7,6%) present moderate or severe signs of anxiety. When observing the level results were found, as 16 (7,6%) of students of the Nursing course and 25 (11,8%) of Letters are classified as having moderate and severe depression. The data also indicate that 49 (23,2%) of the interviewees have already had suicidal thoughts and/or desires, manifested predominantly by undergraduate students with 31 (14,7%) and 18 (8,5%) of the undergraduate courses, degree, such manifestations occur mainly with individuals who are between the 1st and 5th semesters with 40 (18,9%) and 9 (4,2%) in the second half of the course, this information must be observed with extreme caution and as trigger of actions and policies aimed at the mental health of the academic community. As preventive and/or restorative measure, it is suggested that the university provide specialized care in psychology and/or psychiatry at the Teaching Center in all working shifts, in addition to guiding professors on the need to positively contribute to students in this process, adaptation, considering that each person has their peculiarities and comes from a different social, family, financial and religious context. Another necessary action is for high schools to pay due attention to the emotional issues of students, for which it is necessary to work together with managers of basic and higher education, in addition to the support of professionals in the area, so that they are prepared and listened to, resolute and efficient actions in the face of this theme.