Finals? Deadlines? Overwhelmed? Stop depression where it starts.
Twenty-eight percent of adolescents will experience an episode of major depression by age 19. College students experience greater stressors than previous generations. More students are arriving on campus with pre-existing conditions that are under control sometimes because of medication, according to Susan Birge, Fairfield Director of Counseling Services.
Birge said the problems faced by college students here, especially at exam time, are the same as those at schools across the country.
Pressures at school and at home, hopelessness, stress, and anxiety can cause depression. Students on college campuses are susceptible to depression and a variety of other psychological or psychiatric disorders.
According to the National Mental Health Association, depression affects over 19 million American adults annually. Ten percent of college students have been diagnosed with depression, additionally 13 percent of college women are depressed.
“Students utilizing Counseling Services at Fairfield University reflect these trends,” said Birge. “Students present with developmental issues, such as relationships, identity, and academic concerns; and, with mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety disorders.”
Last year, 13 percent of Fairfield University students utilized the Counseling Services, said Birge.
Students like junior Kentebe Ogbolu want help but have not utilized resources like the counseling services at Fairfield University.
“Besides candy, stress balls, balloons, masseuses, the counseling services can provide students with notices which allow more time on tests, with or without a disability,” said Ogbolu.
“The counseling service should be a mediator between students and professors,” said Ogbolu. “I haven’t utilized it because I had to continue focusing on school. Even though I wanted help, I had to worry about classes and my GPA. Also, when I utilized the Student Support Services, the first session was the only good one.”
A Fairfield University sophomore said, “The counseling services could give students tips for organization and time management.”
According to Birge, the literature posits that college age individuals also experience greater psycho-social stressors than those experienced by previous generations as well as a growing comfort or less stigma with the utilization of mental health care.
There is a definite relation between stress and depression, according to Katherine Wheeler, the director of Fairfield University’s Graduate Nursing program, who also has expertise in advanced practice psychiatric nursing and anxiety disorders.
“The stress hormones create a cascade of other hormones especially if stress is long-term and these other hormones can cause depression. No one likes to feel stressed all the time and that creates feelings of depression,” Wheeler said. “Most young people who are depressed may not even realize it and instead just feel like ‘getting drunk’ or ‘doing drugs’ in an effort to feel better. Unfortunately, these activities make it worse.”
“In order for Fairfield University students to manage stress and prevent possible serious health conditions, they need to nurture their minds, bodies, and relationships,” Wheeler said. “This translates into getting enough sleep, eating right, having fun with people you like, exercising and being kind to yourself. Give yourself positive messages and don’t beat yourself up.”
Fairfield University’s Counseling Services provides coverage to students who are emotionally distressed and in need of immediate response.
“They have exercises, books, and so many other resources to relieve stress,” said a Fairfield University junior who used the center. “My recovery was a combination of my advisor and a counselor. They helped me find a solution to my problems.”
“I went to the counseling service because I was emotionally unstable and depressed,” said the student who asked not to identified. “My advice to other students is don’t let it be too late before you seek help. It almost happened to me.”
For a private appointment with a counselor, call x2146 or email counseling@mail.fairfield.edu for an appointment.
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