American college students are increasingly seeking help for mental health issues, according to a new report.

Rates of twenty-somethings who visited an university counselor doubled last year, with students reporting they are anxious, depressed and suicidal, according to researchers at Penn State University.

These feelings may be sparked by leaving home for the first time, increased academic pressure and having access to alcohol and drugs.

Experts said this time period is critical in addressing these potentially serious problems because 75 percent of mental conditions begin before the age of 24.

Penn State University’s Center for Collegiate Mental Health published its annual report for the 2016 year and found a significant jump in counselor visits.

There were 150,483 students who sought help from a counselor, compared to the 100,736 students from last year.

Data looked at 139 universities and colleges from across the nation and found 61 percent of students who stopped by a school’s mental health facility reported high levels of anxiety.

Nearly 50 percent said they felt depressed, 45 percent were stressed, 26 percent confessed they had intentionally hurt themselves and 33 percent had considered suicide.

Ashley Stauffer, a project manager for Penn’s mental health center, said to NBC News: ‘What has increased over the past five years is threat-to-self characteristics, including serious suicidal thoughts and self-injurious behaviors.’

Experts are concerned that these high numbers could lead to deaths down the road if they aren’t addressed and treated in time.

Nancy Roy, the clinical director at suicide prevention center JED Foundation, said the problem has grown to such an extent that schools need to take full ownership…..More Here