Depression is a prevalent problem in colleges today. It stems from many different ‘stressors,’ which include experiencing firsts such as a new lifestyle, friends, roommates, an exposure to a new culture and different ways of thinking.
According to an article reviewed by George Krucik, MD, 1 out of every 4 college students suffer from some form of mental illness, including depression. In the past 15 years, depression in college students has nearly doubled and suicide rate has tripled. College is a stressful time for most students. The workload becomes overbearing and the pressure to do your best sometimes stresses students out tremendously.
The National Institute of Mental Health states that “depression is a serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working.”
Depression can lead to many other factors if not treated. Substance abuse, self-harm and suicide are only few of the big factors students turn too if not treated for depression. Kaitlyn O’Hara, a social worker who works with teens and young adults, said “The amount of cases have unfortunately increased within the few years I have been here. Teens come in and talk about how all of the stress in their lives lead to depression and anxiety, It is definitely more common today then it was years ago,”
On campus, Active Minds as well as Psychological Services work hard to make sure that people are aware of mental health issues on campus. April is mental health awareness month. Both groups run activities and conversations to raise awareness and inform students about this rising issue.
“Students on college campuses need to know that help is really out there,” O’Hara said. “If you are struggling, do not be afraid to reach out for help. Depression can often lead to suicide, which is the third leading cause of death in young teens. Speaking up can really save lives.”
