Just because you do not see it, does not mean it’s not there.
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders that over 350 million people suffer from. Over 10,000 college students suffer from depression as well.
Salisbury University has a mental health promotion program entitled STAND4YOU that aims to increase early detection of at-risk students and increase help seeking behavior. Students who show signs of distress can complete an online simulation, Kognito Interactive, that can help faculty and staff identify students who experience high levels of distress and if needed create effective referrals to support services.
Dr. Kathleen Scott, Director of the Counseling Center at Salisbury University, shared that depression can have an impact on a student’s function.
“Depression can make them irritable,” Dr. Scott said. “They can have trouble going to class and not being motivated to do their work so their grades start to suffer.”
There are different forms of depression such as major depression, psychotic, postpartum, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Some signs of depression can consist of not enjoying or doing things that one may use to like: disruptive or excessive sleeping, appetite reduction, and isolation.
Dr. Scott mentioned that a person who deals with depression may look unkempt because they will not change their clothes or bathe.
One of the most common symptoms of depression is the thought of suicide. Dr. Scott said that people who suffer from depression have suicidal thoughts because of the feeling of being hopeless.
“Sometimes people have that negative thought process where the suffering and the pain as well has no hope for the future can get to the point where someone will want to end their life,” Dr. Scott said.
In lieu of September being Suicide Prevention Awareness Month celebrity social media star Demetrius Harmon, better known as MeechOnMars, released a short film on YouTube entitled Be Happy. In reality, Harmon battles with depression and anxiety. The short shows where a young man is trying to find happiness while dealing with depression and explains what a person who deals with depression experiences.
Having thoughts of and talking about suicide is no joke. If you know of anyone who is thinking about suicide please help them even if they do not want it.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). For more information you can visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org