Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between somatic symptoms and mental health in a convenience sample of 221 students who presented to college health for primary care services. A retrospective chart review was conducted, and aggregate data were analyzed. Receiving counseling had a significant inverse relationship to the number of primary care encounters. Those who have not reported participating in counseling had a 1.75 higher mean number of encounters than those with counseling (t = 2.154, P < .017). Similarly, those without counseling had a .315 higher mean total of somatic symptoms than those with counseling (t =1.808, P < .036). For the sample, a small but statistically significant increase in the suicide score was found with each increase in primary care encounters (b = .025, P = .008), but at the total sample level, there was no significant relationship between the number of somatic symptoms and suicide scores. However, when separated by whether the students received counseling, for those who have not participated in counseling, the direct relationship between somatic symptoms and suicide scores was slight but significant at P < .001 level, whereas for those who have participated in counseling, there remained no significant relationship. These findings can be applied to the expanding primary care and mental health needs of college students.