What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you read the word “depression?” Maybe it’s “crazy” or “weak,” or “something that only happens to other people.” Or maybe the first thing you think of when you read the word “depression” is yourself, and the battle you face every day with it. For up to 15% of college students across the United States, their reality is that battle with depression.
The truth is that depression is an illness, not a weakness or a sign of craziness; it is an actual medical condition, one that should be taken seriously and treated appropriately. It’s more common than you think – the average onset of depression is between the ages of 15 and 24, and as many as 10% of college students come to college already having a history of depression.
I’m always Stressed, am I Depressed?
Before I continue, let me emphasize the point that there is a difference between clinical depression and feeling stressed out. A person with clinical depression can have symptoms that include a persistent sad mood or anxiousness, loss of pleasure in activities they used to enjoy, restlessness, feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness, and in the most extreme situations, thoughts of suicide or death. Even if you have just an inkling that you may be depressed, it’s very important that you seek help as soon as possible.
We all know that college is STRESSFUL. First, we have to adjust to the fact that we no longer live at home and that we are now fully independent. Then, BAM, you get hit with a ton of homework and assignments from classes that seem way above your intelligence. And then there’s the partying, the drinking, the foray into college-style intimacy, and the fact that somewhere in there, you need to eat and sleep. For a lot of college students without depression, it can be a difficult transition, and for those with the disease, it can feel downright impossible.
The biggest problem is that many students feel ashamed that they feel depressed, or they feel like there will be a stigma attached to them if they admit to others that they are, which often prevents students from seeking the help they need. Many try to self-medicate, by drinking or taking illicit drugs, which usually just exacerbates the problem; others try to ignore it, but ignoring something as serious as depression is never a good idea.
This isn’t just a problem with college kids – of the more than 19 million Americans affected by depression, fewer than half of them actually seek treatment; but of those who do seek treatment, around 70% reach a full remission with the proper treatment, according to Mental Health America (MHA). MHA, formerly the National Mental Health Association, explains, “Many people resist treatment because they believe depression isn’t serious, that they can treat it themselves or that it is a personal weakness rather than a serious mental illness.”
So, What’s the Good News?
Many schools, including James Madison University, offer free services to all full-time students. At JMU, our counseling center is located inside Varner House at the Counseling and Student Development Center (CSDC). We all know it as a stop on the bus route, but inside Varner House, there is a team of peer counselors and licensed professionals waiting to help you on your journey through college.
You don’t have to be suffering from depression to benefit from Varner House’s services; a friend of mine, *Mary, has been stressed out lately, anddecided to schedule an appointment. She went in, had an evaluative session with a counselor, and is now scheduled for a full-length therapy session. Mary said, “My experience so far has been exceptional… I felt like I was in a supportive and positive environment for the short time I was there.”
Like many other students, she was concerned about seeking out counseling services, especially because she is not a person who readily admits that she needs help. After her experience there, however, she’s very glad she made the appointment.
*Jane had more of a mixed experience; while they were quick to set her up with a therapist, she felt a little uncomfortable because some therapists are graduate students whose sessions have to be recorded for peer and advisor review. She ultimately sought out resources outside of Varner House, but she remains open to the possibility of using their services in the future.
Feedback from CSDC’s 2009-2010 client evaluations reveal that 93% said their counselor helped them feel comfortable and accepted, 90% felt their counselor understood their concerns, 93% said their counselor seemed competent and skilled, 97% said they felt their information would be kept completely confidential, and 53% said counseling helped them to be more successful academically (33% responded “N/A”).
I personally have struggled with depression, since I was 11. At first, I was too embarrassed to ask for help, but I finally gave in, and I’m so glad I did. I’ve been seeing the same psychologist for the last nine years, and she has helped me more than I can say. I was too ashamed to tell my friends at first, but eventually I opened up, and I don’t mind being honest about the fact that I share a disease with 19 million other Americans. It’s nothing to be ashamed about, and it’s something that can most likely be treated effectively. There are tons of resources out there!
It’s crucial that we spread awareness of the services they offer. At some point in your time at JMU, you may find yourself in need of a counselor, and I hope that you will take advantage of the incrediblefree services offered by the Counseling & Student Development Center housed at Varner House!
For more information on Varner House and the services they offer, go to:
http://www.jmu.edu/counselingctr/index.html
And here’s 25 Signs Counseling Might be Helpful to You:
http://www.jmu.edu/counselingctr/25signs.html
*names have been changed
Sources:
Various JMU students
http://www.jmu.edu/counselingctr/index.html
http://www.nmha.org/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julia-lurie/everyones-battle-confront_b_813685.html
http://www.depressioncenter.org/docc/