People say college is supposed to be the best time of your life; however, despite the fun and freedom, many students feel distressed, anxious, disconnected and alone. Some college students talk about feeling sad, stuck, hopeless or overwhelmed by stress.
If any of this describes how you’re feeling and you can’t shake yourself out of it, you might be experiencing depression. Stop by information tables that will be set up on National Depression Screening Day, Thursday, Oct. 7, in the second-floor atrium, Murray-Herrick Campus Center. Counseling and Psychological Services will host the tables from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and offer free confidential screenings for depression.
Even if you’re sure you don’t have depression, feel free to stop by, take advantage of the program, and learn about available services. You might learn something that will help you or someone you care about.
You also can take the screening online, anonymously.
Depression is more than just a bad day, the response to a bad grade, or a little anxiety about future events. When left untreated, depression can leave you feeling so bad that you forget how it feels to feel good.
Symptoms of depression include:
- A persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood
- Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, helplessness, irritability or worthlessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities ranging from schoolwork to sports to socializing with friends or dating
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Changes in appetite
- Decreased energy, fatigue, or feeling “slowed down”
- Thoughts of death or dying
- Suicide attempts
- Increased restlessness or fidgeting
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
- Low self-esteem or extreme guilt
- Physical symptoms – such as headaches, digestive disorders or chronic pain – that don’t respond to medical treatment
For more information on depression, visit the National Institute of Mental Health website or call Counseling and Psychological Services, (651) 962-6780. Depression can be treated. We’re here to help.
