"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 attend college for the first time; when we get a poor grade on a paper or exam; or when a romantic relationship ends. It is natural to feel hurt and sad when we suffer a loss or experience failure, disappointment or rejection. But, sometimes what starts out as a normal reaction turns into clinical depression. This "normal reaction turned sour" can persist for weeks, months, or years, and can affect every aspect of our daily lives. Depression often makes people tired and irritable. It also elicits feelings of pessimism, negativism, worthlessness and guilt. "Other warning signs of depression include: changes in appetite, sleeping problems ( insomnia or sleeping too much), loss of concentration and difficulty remem...