How a College Student Can Fight Depression

According to a "Newsweek" article by Daniel McGinn and Ron Depasquale, more than 40 percent of college students experience crippling depression at least once a year. This article also notes a startling statistic: over 1,100 students commit suicide ever year. Because of both facts, universities are taking action. More college level therapists are being hired. Students are being screened prior to admission to see if they have a history of mental illness. Also, New York University decided to have a 24 hour hotline after four students committed sucide in the 2003-04 school year. With these notes for a serious problem in hand, this article will focus on how students can get through a college term, or finish school, without having any form of depression destroying their chances of success.

The signature problems pointed out in McGinn and Depasquale's "Newsweek" article were society's beliefs on depression. Before, students were almost encouraged to "tough it out" instead or receiving treatment. While this has not changed overnight, the "stigma" of mental illness appears to be declining. More and more students are looking for help. Medications and therapists are being utilized. Colleges are opening phone-help lines for students trying to cope with depression and other mental illnesses. Medications, therapists, and phone lines are just the beginning for students.

McGinn and Depasquale's article pointed out a few strategies for students battling mental illness. Students fighting depression should make a point to attend colleges close to their families. The families will often lend more than just support; they can spot the signs of depression or a different mental illness earlier. "It doesn't necessarily have to be near the parent's house," an expert in the article pointed out, "It can be near a brother, sister, aunt or uncle, somebody they can turn to on a regular basis." Students might be more willing to admit to family they are feeling depressed rather than a therapist they barely know. Students also should look to smaller schools. McGinn and Depasquale point out this has less proof, but offer the point that students can receive therapy on a more consistent basis at a smaller school.

Another article posted on the National Mental Health America site had a few different strategies. It pointed out how students should carefully plan a day, and by doing this they maintain control over it. Extracurricular activities keep the students busy, allows them to meet others, and allows for interests and hobbies to be formed. Students should not only plan their activities for the day, but when they will sleep and when they will get up. Lastly, Mental Health America article pointed out to not only seek help from therapists and family, but with other students. This makes sense because many times the person who will understand students the most is another student.

Students should consider not "toughing it out" because it is dangerous. The first act a depressed student should make is seek out professional help. Seeking help from a professional is only the beginning: students should talk to family and friends, plan their whole day (from morning to night), and try to be social and attend extracurricular activities. If students are crippled by their depressions, often a prescription for medication will be needed. As a last resort, students should consider if the college they attend is not a positive environment for their mental health. This does not mean dropping out; it could mean going to a smaller school with less pressure.

The students should always work towards recovery. They are not alone in feeling depressed, as the statistics here pointed out. By following some of these guidelines, success is possible for the college student fighting depression, and also with life after school.

Sources: Newsweek, National Mental Health America Website