Depression Among College Students
"In the months before a sophomore at Massachusetts Institute of Technology died, she spoke with seven psychiatrists and one social worker. The psychiatrists diagnosed major depression; the therapist recommended hospitalization. She even told a dean that she was cutting herself and let a professor know that she wanted to commit suicide. But it wasn't enough. Four days later, she was dead" (Shea 1). The American College Health Association reports that 76 percent of students felt "overwhelmed" last year while 22 percent were sometimes so depressed they couldn't function. The college years are times of transition and growth. It's a time when we try to find a place in the world and want to gain independence from our family. This makes us susceptible to depression. "Depression refers to noticeable changes in our mood and ranges from mild feelings of sadness to intense feelings of hopelessness and even suicidal thoughts. Sometimes depression is associated with other problems such as anxiety, eating disorders, and alcohol/substance abuse"(Robinson 1) Depression can happen gradually or it can be triggered by specific events. For instance, some of us may feel depressed when we move away from home to att
For many, a supportive campus setting enables them to continue their studies while receiving treatment. However, by understanding that the safety and health of students is of the greatest importance, it is worthwhile to fund any programs useful in assisting students. First and foremost a counseling center should be established at every university. These activities could be anything from ice cream socials to finals week activities to help lower the stress of classes and finals. On the other hand, it is in college that depression seems to be the easiest to be recognized. These medications help to balance the neurotransmitters in the brain. An easy way to help is to write the student a letter on a regular basis or keep in touch by email. Loneliness, lack of family and social support, and feelings of helplessness plague many incoming students. By offering in-depth seminars on the transition to college, it helps students get to know one professor really well. Most universities today have set up a counseling center for students to have the option to talk to a counselor and straighten out their problems. These signs can be as obvious as changes in appetite, sleeping problems (insomnia or sleeping too much), loss of concentration and difficulty remembering things, loss of motivation or interest in activities that were of interest, feeling sad and empty inside, worrying, withdrawal, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, thoughts of death and suicide. Many college students get homesick their first few years and still need their families' involvement in their life. Also because most students who are depressed suffer from very high levels of stress, the activities of the Greek programs can help them unwind before they stress themselves out again. College can be a time of freedom, exploration, and excitement; a time many say they look upon as the happiest years of their lives. An occasional care package can also brighten the day.
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