Morocco is home to approximately 1.31 million university students.
Their enrollment, academic performance and career prospects are closely monitored.
But one crucial indicator often remains overlooked:
their mental health.
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A recent Moroccan study published in the scientific journal Discover Public Health sheds new light on this issue.
Conducted among 1,191 students from six institutions at Abdelmalek Essaâdi University in Tetouan, the research
found that 27% of participants screened positive for suicide risk during the 30 days preceding the survey.
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Behind this figure are young adults with an average age of 21.7 years, navigating academic pressure, financial challenges,
uncertainty about the future and the personal difficulties that often accompany university life.
The sample included 623 women and 568 men from four faculties and two higher education schools.
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Researchers examined a wide range of factors, including demographic characteristics, family psychiatric history,
substance use and exposure to different forms of violence.
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Out of the 1,191 students surveyed, 322 were identified as being at risk.
Among them, 86.6% were classified as low risk, 11.2% as moderate risk, and 2.2% as high risk.
Only seven students, representing 0.6% of the total sample, were considered at high risk and were referred for psychiatric follow-up.
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The study also identified several factors strongly associated with increased risk. Cannabis use showed the strongest
statistical association, followed by family psychiatric history and exposure to physical or sexual violence.
The findings highlight the importance of strengthening mental health support services and prevention programs within Moroccan universities.
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One thing is clear.
Student success is not only measured by grades and diplomas , mental well-being is becoming an equally important challenge for higher education.
