Presenter(s)
Kelsey Hipenbecker, Brianna Carlson, Joshua Gullickson, Rylee Fredrickson, Abigail Andersen, Isabel Schottenbauer, Bryce Stoltz
Abstract
Mental illness can impact persons of all ages. A Healthy Minds study revealed that more than 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health condition over the course of a year. Mental health issues such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) have been associated with insufficient dietary vitamin D and sun avoidance amongst college students. Because mental illness is becoming increasingly prevalent in college students, we did a literature search to examine the association of vitamin D and mental health among college students. This topic is relevant as college students' busy schedules and other responsibilities may hinder safe sun exposure and a well-balanced diet, possibly leading to lower vitamin D levels.
Findings from a preliminary literature search revealed that college students had a limited understanding of the importance and the effect of vitamin D on health and well-being. For example, students, in general, do not know the recommended adult daily intake for vitamin D or its benefits. Our public health project focuses on students at the WSU Health Services clinic setting and the surrounding campus area. We aimed to raise university students' awareness about the recommended daily intake of vitamin D, educate them on ways to obtain vitamin D, and highlight the positive effects of vitamin D on mental health. We created an educational brochure containing information about signs of vitamin D deficiency, how vitamin D impacts mental health, where sources of vitamin D can be found, as well as additional resources to view regarding vitamin D. We plan to hand out the brochure in various settings around the Winona State Campus. For example, we will hand out the brochures at WSU Health Services and answer any of the students' questions. Also, the brochure will be emailed to all WSU nursing students including specific groups such as athletes. This is an important intervention to promote knowledge about vitamin D and help our university students to have the information that they need to make good choices about their own health.
College
College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Department
Nursing - Undergraduate
First Advisor/Mentor
Grace Rassmussen
Start Date
4-24-2025 9:00 AM
End Date
4-24-2025 10:00 AM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
1a=9am-10am
Poster Number
1
Included in
The Impact of Vitamin D on Mental Health in College Students
Mental illness can impact persons of all ages. A Healthy Minds study revealed that more than 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health condition over the course of a year. Mental health issues such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) have been associated with insufficient dietary vitamin D and sun avoidance amongst college students. Because mental illness is becoming increasingly prevalent in college students, we did a literature search to examine the association of vitamin D and mental health among college students. This topic is relevant as college students' busy schedules and other responsibilities may hinder safe sun exposure and a well-balanced diet, possibly leading to lower vitamin D levels.
Findings from a preliminary literature search revealed that college students had a limited understanding of the importance and the effect of vitamin D on health and well-being. For example, students, in general, do not know the recommended adult daily intake for vitamin D or its benefits. Our public health project focuses on students at the WSU Health Services clinic setting and the surrounding campus area. We aimed to raise university students' awareness about the recommended daily intake of vitamin D, educate them on ways to obtain vitamin D, and highlight the positive effects of vitamin D on mental health. We created an educational brochure containing information about signs of vitamin D deficiency, how vitamin D impacts mental health, where sources of vitamin D can be found, as well as additional resources to view regarding vitamin D. We plan to hand out the brochure in various settings around the Winona State Campus. For example, we will hand out the brochures at WSU Health Services and answer any of the students' questions. Also, the brochure will be emailed to all WSU nursing students including specific groups such as athletes. This is an important intervention to promote knowledge about vitamin D and help our university students to have the information that they need to make good choices about their own health.
